US08225557B2
A roof mounting system can include a roof substrate and flashing supportable on the substrate and including an outwardly extending projection having a concave interior side and an aperture extending through the projection between top and bottom surfaces of the flashing. A seal can extend through the aperture and contact at least a portion of the top surface and at least a portion of the bottom surface. The seal can be conformable with the concave interior side and can define a seal aperture substantially aligned with the flashing aperture. A mounting bracket can be supportable on the flashing and can define an aperture sized to receive at least a portion of each of the seal and the projection. A fastener can extend through the mounting bracket aperture, seal aperture, and flashing aperture to inhibit fluid flow through the flashing aperture.
US08225542B2
A firearm system includes a foregrip removably mountable to a firearm, the foregrip having a programmable button controlling at least one of an accessory of the firearm and a component of the foregrip.
US08225535B2
An article of footwear including an outsole, an upper attached to the outsole and a heel portion attached to the outsole and movably connected to the upper. The heel portion is movable between a support position, where the heel portion is substantially transverse to the outsole, and a mule position, where the heel portion is substantially parallel to the outsole. A cushioning heel pad is attached to an outer surface of the heel portion, where the heel pad has a designated thickness and contacts and supports a user's heel when the heel portion is in the mule position.
US08225533B2
A component for supporting a wearer's foot includes a central plate joined at its periphery to one or more tubular portions.
US08225528B2
A laundry dryer capable of effectively removing creases or rumples from an object to be dried, for example, laundry, and effectively removing odor from the laundry is disclosed. The laundry dryer includes a drum for accommodating an object to be dried, a rear supporter for covering a rear side of the drum, a substance supply device having an end arranged at the rear supporter, to supply a water-based substance to an interior of the drum, and a rear plate formed to constitute a rear wall of the dryer while partially exposing the substance supply device.
US08225525B1
A wetsuit drying and transportation carrier includes a container having a wetsuit receiving interior. A reservoir is provided adjacent to the bottom of the container to receive liquid from the interior of the container. A first wetsuit support is pivotably connected to the container to pivot into and out of the container interior. A second wetsuit support is pivotably connected to the container in front of the first wetsuit support to pivot into and out of the interior of the container. A wetsuit shoulder support is connected to the container or to the first wetsuit support. A third wetsuit support is pivotably connected to the first and second wetsuit supports. The third wetsuit support desirably has a slot for receiving a wetsuit for drying and transportation.
US08225523B2
A clothes-treating apparatus and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. According to a controlling method of a clothes-treating apparatus, a clothes-treating apparatus is capable of steam-cleansing a heat exchanger of a heat pump provided therein automatically. An additional device may not be provided in the clothes treating apparatus to cleanse and sterilize a heat exchanger of a heat pump provided in a mechanism compartment to supply dry or heated air to clothes.
US08225517B2
A sighting system for use on an archery bow includes a sighting pin defining a front focus point and a plurality of contact knocks coupled to the bow string. An archer adjusts the distance of a shot by positioning a reference feature relative to a contact knock while placing the sighting pin on a target. A range finder for determining a distance to the target includes a sighting pin having a focus point and first and second yardage bars on opposite sides of the sighting pin. The first and second yardage bars are configured to be located relative to known features of the target at certain distances from the target.
US08225513B2
A pair of gardening shears include a main cutter, a secondary cutter pivotally connected with the main cutter, a force arm pivotally connected with the main cutter and engaged with the secondary cutter to drive the secondary cutter to pivot relative to the main cutter, and a connecting plate mounted on the secondary cutter and the force arm. Thus, the secondary cutter and the force arm are sandwiched between the main cutter and the connecting plate so that the secondary cutter and the force arm are moved smoothly and stably by limit of the main cutter and the connecting plate so as to facilitate the user performing the pruning action.
US08225510B2
A wet shaving razor cartridge that comprises a plurality of at least five elongate blade assemblies disposed in parallel between a guard and a cap of a housing, each blade assembly having a sharp cutting edge; wherein said blade assemblies exhibit a cumulative interblade span of no greater than about 3 mm. Also, a wet shaving razor cartridge that comprise a plurality of at least four elongate blade assemblies disposed in parallel between a guard and a cap of a housing, each blade assembly having a sharp cutting edge; wherein said blade assemblies exhibit a cumulative interblade span of no greater than about 2.5 mm.
US08225505B2
A method of forming a blade assembly for a gas turbine engine, the method comprising mounting turbine blades on a rotor in a number of radial stages. Sacrificial supports are placed on the blades, and nozzle guide vanes are located on the supports. The rotor is introduced into a casing, and the guide vanes are mounted to the casing.
US08225503B2
A method for manufacturing a board with a built-in electronic element, includes providing a support substrate including a support base and a metal foil, forming a protective film made of a metal material on the metal foil of the support substrate, forming a conductive pattern made of a metal material on the protective film by an additive method, placing an electronic element on the support substrate with the conductive pattern such that a surface of the electronic element where a circuit is formed faces the conductive pattern, covering the electronic element with an insulative resin, etching away the metal foil using a first etching solution such that the protective film is not dissolved by the first etching solution or that the protective film has an etching speed which is slower than an etching speed of the metal foil, and electrically connecting terminals of the electronic element and a part of the conductive pattern.
US08225502B2
A semiconductor device 100 has such a structure that a semiconductor chip 110 is flip-chip mounted on a wiring board 120. The wiring board 120 has a multilayer structure in which a plurality of wiring layers and a plurality of insulating layers are arranged, and a first electrode pad 130 is formed on a chip mounting side. A taper surface 132 of the first electrode pad 130 has a gradient in an orientation reduced in an upward direction toward a solder connecting side or a chip mounting side. Therefore, a holding force for a force applied to the solder connecting side or the chip mounting side is increased, and furthermore, the taper surface 132 adheres to a tapered internal wall of an insulating layer of a first layer so that a bonding strength to the insulating layer is increased.
US08225497B2
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to rotor installation systems and, more particularly, to permanent magnet rotor installation systems, including those having an in situ magnetizer or magnet insertion device. In one embodiment, the invention provides a rotor installation system comprising: at least one magnetizer for permanently magnetizing a ferromagnetic material; and an arbor for receiving a rotor having at least one portion including a ferromagnetic material, wherein the at least one magnetizer is positioned relative to the arbor to allow permanent magnetization of the ferromagnetic material.
US08225482B2
A manufacturing method of a waveguide structure includes forming a metal layer of a predetermined size on a substrate to form a structure, forming a lower clad layer on the structure in order to completely cover the metal layer, forming a core layer of a predetermined size on the lower clad layer at the location corresponding to the metal layer, and forming an upper clad layer thereon in order to completely cover the core layer.
US08225479B2
A first and a second object (1 and 2) are joined with the aid of a joining element (8) including at least in the region of its distal and proximal ends (8.1 and 8.2) a thermoplastic material. Two blind holes (5 and 6) facing each other are provided in the two objects (1 and 2) and the joining element (8) is positioned in the blind holes such that its distal and proximal ends (8.1) are in contact with the bottom faces of the blind holes and such that there is a gap (9) between the two objects (1 and 2). This assembly is then positioned between a support (3) and a sonotrode (4). The sonotrode (4) and the support (3) are forced towards each other, while the sonotrode (4) is vibrated, thereby liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, there, where the joining element ends (8.1 and 8.2) are pressed against the bottom faces of the holes (5 and 6) and allowing the liquefied material to infiltrate into pores of the hole surfaces or unevennesses or openings provided in the hole surfaces.
US08225475B2
A non-conductive stabilizer bar device for aligning and stabilizing fine pitch electronic components, specifically a nanominiature connector, while these components are being mounted to a printed circuit board. The stabilizer bar device provides for alignment and stability in the all directions. The stabilizer bar device provides a series of grooves having detents that come into contact with fine pitch electronic leads and hold fast the fine pitch electronic leads providing stability by maintaining the true positioning of the terminal ends of the contacts.
US08225451B2
The invention pertains to a novel brush assembly having a plurality of interchangeable brush heads and handles and corresponding method for use. The brush assembly further comprises a plurality of abrasive mechanisms, namely suspension bristles and working springs, capable of effectively cleaning a surface without scoring or otherwise damaging the surface. The invention may be particularly useful for cleaning grills and ovens. The invention may also be useful for cleaning, abrading, scraping, cutting, shaping, adding texture to, removing a material from, otherwise preparing any surface including wooden, metal or ceramic surfaces.
US08225445B2
The invention makes provision for the final wash liquid from the washing device to be separated from the items of laundry in a water-removal device, specifically together with a large portion of the final wash liquid bound in the items of laundry. The items of laundry are then rinsed in the water-removal device. Following this, the rinse liquid is routed away from the items of laundry. The final wash liquid and the rinse liquid are temporarily stored in separate storage tanks and returned to the subsequent wash process in a deliberate manner. A mixture of at least a portion of the final wash liquid and the rinse liquid is fed particularly to the prewash zone in order to prewash the next batch of items of laundry.
US08225439B2
A convertible sofa-bed which is easy to convert between a sofa configuration and a bed configuration is provided. From a sofa configuration, a buttock-foot member may be pulled outward. Simultaneously, a head rest member and back rest member which are initially at a generally vertical position are traversed to a generally horizontal position. When the buttock-foot member is fully traversed outward (i.e., extended position), the head rest member, back rest member and the buttock-foot member are generally substantially co-planar and generally horizontal. This provides a firm bed surface upon which a person may comfortably sleep. From the bed configuration, head rest member and the back rest member may be buckled to allow the buttock-foot member to be pushed inward. The buttock-foot member is then pushed fully inward (i.e., retracted position) until the head rest member and the back rest member are in the generally vertical position. The person may sit on the buttock-foot member and lean backwards onto the back rest member.
US08225438B2
A seating unit convertible into a bed includes: a base configured to rest on an underlying surface; a rear support pivotally interconnected with the base; a backrest having a backrest cushion; a seat having a seat cushion; a seat carriage; and a folding mechanism attached to the rear support, backrest and seat. The folding mechanism comprises a plurality of pivotally interconnected links that are configured and arranged to move the rear support, backrest and seat between a folded position, in which the rear support is generally upright, the backrest is generally upright and positioned forwardly of the rear support, the seat is generally horizontal and positioned forwardly of the backrest, and the seat carriage is positioned above the base and below the seat, and an unfolded position, in which the rear support, the backrest, and the seat are substantially horizontal and serially aligned with each other, the rear support is above the base, and the seat carriage is positioned below the seat and forward of the base.
US08225436B1
A portable pressurized solar shower which is mounted on the roof of a vehicle using roof rack mounting hardware. The vessel is an elongated shape such as a pipe (20), which is capped on both ends (32) (33). It can be filled by removing a fill cap (36) on top. Water can be sprayed out using an attached hose (60) and nozzle (70). Part of the vessel is a clear tube (41). Sunlight comes through a clear tube and heats a black surface (42) inside of the tube which heats the water. The vessel can be pressurized by a hand air pump via a valve stem (39) installed on the vessel. Privacy while showering is afforded by an attached shower curtain (86) that is easy to set up by using the easy to adjust curtain frame (80).
US08225434B2
The invention relates to a wall rod (1) to be applied in front of a vertical wall by means of wall supports (6), said wall rod comprising an extension on the upper end thereof, that extends in an arched manner away from the wall. The handle of a shower attachment can be inserted into the free end of said arched pipe extension, and the tube is guided downwards on the rear side of the wall rod (1).
US08225419B2
A protective helmet includes: a rigid shell including a generally domed-shaped section, a force attenuating liner within the dome-shaped section shell and operatively connected to the rigid shell; and a visor mount in operative connection with the force attenuating liner, the visor mount be adapted to have a visor mounted thereto.
US08230518B2
Access to digital content may be controlled by determining a digital content specification and associated authenticated rights locker access request, sending the authenticated rights locker access request and the digital content specification, and receiving a new authenticated rights locker access request and a Web page with clickable links in response to the sending, where at least one of the clickable links is associated with an authenticated digital content request. When an indication of a user selection of one of the clickable links is received, an authenticated digital content request associated with the user-selected clickable link is sent to a digital content repository. The digital content is received in response to the sending of the authenticated digital content request.
US08230505B1
The present invention is directed to an intrusion detection/prevention system that uses application layer event information to identify potential intrusions and notifies remote trusted peers in other enterprise networks of potential intrusions emanating therefrom.
US08230501B2
A method of controlling access to an automated media library receives a request or access to the library from an individual having an identity. Access may include importing media to the library, exporting media from the library, and opening a locked door to a cabinet containing the library.
US08230493B2
In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) receiving an outbound packet in a network device, where the outbound packet includes a packet header; (ii) modifying the outbound packet by adding a service identifier to a cleartext portion of the packet header; (iii) when the outbound packet represents an event boundary, adding an event delimiter to the packet header; and (iv) passing the outbound packet to an encryption process for packaging and transmitting across a tunnel.
US08230488B2
A network system includes a first device, a second device, and a server device capable of registering the first and second devices in correlation and establishing an always-on connection session with the second device. The first device includes a callback request transmission section for transmitting a callback request containing designation information on the first device on a network to the server device. The server device includes a callback request relay section for transmitting the callback request from the first device to the second device through the connection session. The second device includes a direct-access session establishment request section for connecting with the first device through the network based on the designation information in the callback request received from the server device and transmitting a request for establishment of a session for direct access, and a direct-access communication section for communicating with the first device through the session for direct access.
US08230484B1
A client computer and/or a user is authenticated via installation of an agent, permitting access to previously inaccessible resources. All users are initially denied access to a resource via a permission list, such as a by being a member of a group that is denied access. The user, once authenticated, is permitted to access the resource, e.g. by being temporarily removed from a cached copy of the group, by being temporarily added to a cached copy of a group allowed to access the resource, or both. Authentication is revoked when the agent is uninstalled. Subsequent accesses to the resource are not permitted, e.g. by undoing the temporary removal or addition. An optional resource firewall proxy server between client computers and a resource filters requests for the resource, and until a user is authenticated via an out-of-band communication from an agent, the user is denied access to the resource.
US08230478B2
A method, system, and computer usable program product for flexibly assigning security configurations to applications are provided in the illustrative embodiments. An embodiment determines, forming a first determination, whether a first identifier identifying the application is mapped to the security configuration. The embodiment determines, forming a second determination, whether the application participates in a group by determining whether a second identifier identifying the group is mapped to the security configuration. The embodiment assigns, forming a first assignment, the security configuration to the application if either of the first and the second determinations is true. The embodiment assigns, forming a second assignment, the security configuration to the application using a determination by a first policy if the first and the second determinations are false.
US08230472B2
A data and image transmission system includes at least one interactive control server system, coupled to a communications network, to which a user may connect for interactive communication to at least one remote image-data acquisition system located behind a communications security firewall. The image-data acquisition system includes a tunnel client, and the interactive control server system includes a active connection to enable the interactive control server system and the image-data acquisition system to transmit and receive communications through the firewall. A set of rules and the operational specifications of the image-data acquisition system, operable on the interactive control server system, determine how the data from the image-data acquisition system is provided to the interactive control server system. Conflicts between the data received from the image-data acquisition system and the data requested by the user are resolved by a set of prioritizing rules to determine the data transmitted to the user.
US08230463B2
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. The digital broadcast receiving system includes a baseband processor, a management processor, and a presentation processor. The baseband processor receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. Herein, the mobile service data configure a Reed-Solomon (RS) frame, and the RS frame includes mobile service data and at least one channel configuration information on the mobile service data. The management processor acquires simple guide information on at least one of a current program and a next program of a corresponding channel from the channel configuration information and stores the acquired simple guide information. The presentation processor receives simple guide information of any one of the current program and the next program, wherein the programs are provided as mobile service through a user-selected channel, from the management processor and displays the received simple guide information on a portion of a display screen of the corresponding channel.
US08230457B2
Method and system for using coherence of biological responses as a measure of performance of a media
Various embodiments of the present invention create a novel system for rating an event in a media based on the strength of the emotions viewers feel towards the event. The viewer's responses to the media can be measured and calculated via physiological sensors. The metric for rating the strength of the media is created based on the mathematical coherence of change (up or down) of all pertinent physiological responses across multiple viewers. Such rating offers an objective ability to compare the strengths of events of the media, as there is a strong correlation between high coherence of physiological responses (all viewers feel the same thing at the same time) and strong ratings of emotionality, engagement, likeability, success in the marketplace/on screen.
US08230454B2
A motor device includes: a rotor case rotated along with a shaft; a chuck housing mounted on a hub of the rotor case; a chuck member mounted on the chuck housing such that the chuck member is protruded from the interior to an outer side, to fix a disc; and a concave portion formed as a recess on the rotor case to form a gap with the chuck support in contact with the chuck member to thereby prevent a frictional contact between the rotor case and the chuck member.
US08230447B2
The present invention is an enhanced staged event-driven architecture (SEDA) stage. The enhanced SEDA stage can include an event queue configured to enqueue a plurality of events, an event handler programmed to process events in the event queue, and a thread pool coupled to the event handler. A resource manager further can be coupled to the thread pool and the event queue. Moreover, the resource manager can be programmed to allocate additional threads to the thread pool where a number of events enqueued in the event queue exceeds a threshold value and where all threads in the thread pool are busy.
US08230441B2
A system and method of decreasing server loads and, more particularly, to decrease server load by automatically determining subgroups based on object interactions and computational expenditures. The system includes a plurality of servers; a subgroup optimization module configured to segment a plurality of objects into optimal subgroups; and a server transfer module configured to apportion one or more of the optimal subgroups between the plurality of servers based on a load of each of the plurality of servers. The method includes determining a relationship amongst a plurality of objects; segmenting the objects into optimized subgroups based on the relationships; and apportioning the optimized subgroups amongst a plurality of servers based on server load.
US08230432B2
Embodiments of the invention provides techniques for defragmenting blocks of resources allocated to perform computing jobs on a distributed or clustered system so that more contiguous physical resources may be made available to users submitting new job requests. Typically, the defragmentation process is performed when a job is submitted that requires access to a computing block that is larger than any currently available block in the parallel computing system.
US08230430B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for scheduling threads in a multiprocessor computer. Embodiments include selecting a thread in a ready queue to be dispatched to a processor and determining whether an interrupt mask flag is set in a thread control block associated with the thread. If the interrupt mask flag is set in the thread control block associated with the thread, embodiments typically include selecting a processor, setting a current processor priority register of the selected processor to least favored, and dispatching the thread from the ready queue to the selected processor. In some embodiments, setting the current processor priority register of the selected processor to least favored is carried out by storing a value associated with the highest interrupt priority in the current processor priority register.
US08230427B2
A method, system and computer program product is disclosed for providing a distributed computing environment in which an arbitrary job manager or scheduler is able to be plugged. In the distributed computing environment, a job is created in a storage location to include one or more technical computing tasks and submitted to the arbitrary scheduler by transferring a reference to the storage location of the job. Since a reference to the storage location of the job is transferred to the scheduler, the interface with the scheduler can be implemented regardless of the scheduler. The scheduler then transfers the reference to the storage location of the job to one or more remote workers.
US08230422B2
A data processing system includes a microprocessor having access to multiple levels of cache memories. The microprocessor executes a main thread compiled from a source code object. The system includes a processor for executing an assist thread also derived from the source code object. The assist thread includes memory reference instructions of the main thread and only those arithmetic instructions required to resolve the memory reference instructions. A scheduler configured to schedule the assist thread in conjunction with the corresponding execution thread is configured to execute the assist thread ahead of the execution thread by a determinable threshold such as the number of main processor cycles or the number of code instructions. The assist thread may execute in the main processor or in a dedicated assist processor that makes direct memory accesses to one of the lower level cache memory elements.
US08230421B2
The design of nonblocking linked data structures using single-location synchronization primitives such as compare-and-swap (CAS) is a complex affair that often requires severe restrictions on the way pointers are used. One way to address this problem is to provide stronger synchronization operations, for example, ones that atomically modify one memory location while simultaneously verifying the contents of others. We provide a simple and highly efficient nonblocking implementation of such an operation: an atomic k-word-compare single-swap operation (KCSS). Our implementation is obstruction-free. As a result, it is highly efficient in the uncontended case and relies on contention management mechanisms in the contended cases. It allows linked data structure manipulation without the complexity and restrictions of other solutions. Additionally, as a building block of some implementations of our techniques, we have developed the first nonblocking software implementation of load-linked/store-conditional that does not severely restrict word size.
US08230417B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for installing software, including application execution environments, on a computer. One or more aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in one or more methods that include receiving a request to provide for installation of a software application on a target computer, where the software application requires for operation an application execution environment program including a cross-platform application program interface to provide services to applications that run in the application execution environment; and providing installation of both the software application and the application execution environment program in an installation sequence when the target computer lacks the application execution environment program; wherein the installation of the software application and the application execution environment program are tied together as a single installation transaction, such that they succeed or fail together.
US08230416B2
A method, system and article of manufacture for upgrade of a software module executed in a distributed software computer system using shadow installations of software modules for minimum downtime. A first software module is executed on a first host and a second software module is executed on a second host, the two software modules in communication with each other. Target release of the first software module and a local release of the second software module are installed and deployed on the first host during the execution of the first software module. The first software module is switched to the target release in communication with the local release of the second software module. The communication with the second software module is reestablished after the upgrade.
US08230412B2
A method and apparatus for executing a first executable code image having a first version number into a memory of a device in an attempt to establish an operating environment of the device are described. The first executable code image retrieves a second version number from the second executable code image after successfully authenticating the second executable code image. If the first version number and the second version number do not satisfy a predetermined relationship, the second executable code image is prevented from being loaded by the first executable code image.
US08230387B2
The embodiments of the invention provide a method of organizing assets having artifacts in a repository. The method begins by organizing artifacts of at least one of the assets as internal nodes in a graph based on a context. The method simultaneously organizes the assets as external nodes in the graph based on the context. The internal nodes comprise artifacts having metadata that is updated by an artifact producer and/or an asset producer. Moreover, the external nodes comprise artifacts that are defined and/or updated by roles other than an artifact producer and/or an asset producer.
US08230378B2
Disclosed are embodiments of a method, service, and computer program product for performing yield-aware IC routing for a design. The method performs an initial global routing which satisfies wiring congestion constraints. Next, the method performs wire spreading and wire widening on the global route, layer by layer, based on, for example, a quadratic congestion optimization. Following this, timing closure is performed on the global route using results of the wire spreading and wire widening. Post-routing wiring width and wire spreading adjustments are made using the critical area yield model. In addition, the method allows for the optimization of already-routed data.
US08230374B2
A method of partitioning an algorithm between hardware and software includes accepting a user defined algorithm specified in a source code, identifying worker methods and feature extraction methods within the user defined algorithm, replacing worker methods in the source code with hardware logic, replacing feature extraction methods with a combination of hardware logic and software libraries that interface with the hardware logic, and outputting an FPGA programming specification of the hardware logic and interface libraries.
US08230355B1
Visual representation of a characteristic of an object in a space is described, including collecting data associated with an object in a space, determining a characteristic of the object based on the data, and visually representing the characteristic of the object relative to other objects within the space using a scaled representation.
US08230352B2
A collaboration window may provide a graphical user interface to a user for facilitating communication over at least one of a plurality of communication channels while providing data relevant to the communication and available from a backend application. A collaboration engine may be configured to generate the collaboration window including the graphical user interface, and configured to provide and receive information therewith regarding the communication. A collaboration manager may be configured to communicate, in accordance with a common collaboration interface, with each of a plurality of collaboration components, each collaboration component associated with at least one communication channel. The collaboration manager may include a component selector configured to select a selected collaboration component from among the plurality of collaboration components, the selected collaboration component associated with a communication channel for executing the communication, and a plurality of component managers, each associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of collaboration components and configured to communicate therewith using the common collaboration interface, wherein a selected component manager corresponding to the selected collaboration component is configured to relay information between the selected collaboration component and the collaboration engine to thereby execute the communication using the collaboration window.
US08230350B2
A system and method for managing and displaying data messages includes a computing device configured to receive stream data, assign data messages of the stream data to one or more display columns of a graphical user interface, and display the data messages in the assigned columns. The stream data may be embodied as short data messages such as text messages having predetermined maximum character length. The data messages may be assigned to the display columns based on meta-data associated with the data messages such as the author of the data message, the source of the data message, and/or the type of the data message.
US08230347B2
A method (and corresponding system and computer program product) that prompts users for web feed subscription based on web browsing activities of the users is disclosed. The method monitors web browsing activities of a user related to a web page, and determines that the web page supports web feeds. Responsive to the user repeatedly visited the web page, the method determines whether the monitored web browsing activities related to the web page meets predetermined criteria. If so, the method prompts the user with options to subscribe to the web feed. If the user responds positively to the prompt, the method subscribes to the web feed.
US08230333B2
An apparatus in one example has an analytical environment for mashup data having visual analysis metaphors, and linking and correlation functionality among the visual analysis metaphors. A system may have: at least one store having a predetermined floor plan layout; at least one predetermined location on the predetermined floor plan layout for displaying at least one product; analytical environment for mashup data having visual analysis metaphors, the mashup data formed from data indiciative of the predetermined floor plan layout, and data indicated of sales of the at least one product; and linking and correlation functionality among the visual analysis metaphors through a web browser. In one example, a plurality of products may be positioned on a plurality of shelves, and may be depicted in a geographical display. Sales of each product may be depicted in a in time line display that is linked to the geographical display.
US08230315B2
A coding system in which the coding apparatus generates information bits and parity bits and transmits the parity bits and information bits selectively to the decoding apparatus. The decoding apparatus predicts the information bits, stores the predicted information bits, also stores the parity and information bits received from the encoding apparatus, combines the received information bits with the predicted information bits, and uses an error correcting decoder to decode the combined information bits and the stored parity bits. Combining the predicted information bits with received information bits improves decoding accuracy and enables the decoding apparatus to conserve computational resources.
US08230314B1
A data encoding system for a data stream comprises an interleaving module that receives the data stream as N bit data blocks and that reverses positions of at least two of the N bits of selected ones of the data blocks. A generating module generates P error checking bits for each of the N bit data blocks. An insertion module receives the P error checking bits from the generating module and inserts the P error checking bits into the corresponding data block received from the interleaving module.
US08230304B2
An iterative turbo decoder for a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) of a wireless communication system and method for error correcting received communication signal data are provided. The decoder implements a stopping rule through use of signature codes to determine whether successive iterations of decoder data are the same.
US08230300B2
A method for data storage includes storing data in a group of analog memory cells by writing respective input storage values to the memory cells in the group. After storing the data, respective output storage values are read from the analog memory cells in the group. Respective confidence levels of the output storage values are estimated, and the confidence levels are compressed. The output storage values and the compressed confidence levels are transferred from the memory cells over an interface to a memory controller.
US08230298B2
Overlapping sub-matrix based LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) decoder. Novel decoding approach is presented, by which, updated bit edge messages corresponding to a sub-matrix of an LDPC matrix are immediately employed for updating of the check edge messages corresponding to that sub-matrix without requiring storing the bit edge messages; also updated check edge messages corresponding to a sub-matrix of the LDPC matrix are immediately employed for updating of the bit edge messages corresponding to that sub-matrix without requiring storing the check edge messages. Using this approach, twice as many decoding iterations can be performed in a given time period when compared to a system that performs updating of all check edge messages for the entire LDPC matrix, then updating of all bit edge messages for the entire LDPC matrix, and so on. When performing this overlapping approach in conjunction with min-sum processing, significant memory savings can also be achieved.
US08230293B2
A receiver is arranged to start receiving a data frame 80 including application data followed by parity data. An erasure information table is generated, and includes one element for each element of a data frame 80. If there are no errors in the application data, the receiver is powered-down to sleep without receiving the parity data, and the application data is used without correction being needed. If the number of errors in the application and parity data exceeds the MPE-FEC correction capability, the receiver is powered-down to sleep without further parity data being received and the data is not decoded. If the number of errors is smaller than the MPE-FEC correction capability, the receiver is powered-down to sleep when sufficient parity data is received to correct errors in the application and parity data. This can save power in the receiver. In another embodiment, the erasure information table includes one element for each column of a data frame.
US08230292B2
An apparatus for correcting and detecting multiple spotty-byte errors within a byte occurred in a limited number of bytes and which has a function capable of controlling multiple spotty-byte errors within a byte occurred in the limited number of bytes, is provided.The apparatus for correcting and detecting multiple spotty-byte errors within a byte occurred in a limited number of bytes, comprises an encoding means for generating a transmitted word based on input information data; and a decoding means for inputting the transmitted word where errors occurred in an information transmission channel as a received word and correcting and detecting the errors. The encoding means generates the transmitted word by adding check information generated based on a parity check matrix expressing a spotty-byte error control code and the input information data to the input information data. The decoding means comprises a syndrome generating means for generating a syndrome of the received word based on the parity check matrix; and an error correction means for correcting and detecting the errors in the received word based on the syndrome generated by the syndrome generating means.
US08230286B1
Techniques are provided herein to dynamically disable a hardware component in a processor device. Notifications for single-bit errors detected in a hardware component are received. The hardware component is disabled for a period of time when a number of single-bit errors exceeds a threshold. In addition, techniques are provided to permanently disable one or more hardware components in order to minimize the number of system malfunctions associated with single event upsets (SEUs).
US08230284B2
Special test circuitry in an IC for wafer level testing selectively connects the specialized test circuitry to the functional circuitry during wafer test. Following wafer test the special test circuitry is electrically isolated from the functional circuitry and power supplies such that it does not load functional circuit signals nor consume power.
US08230272B2
Systems and methods for determining whether or not one or pluralities of events, patterns, or data elements present within a given digital data stream should be delimited as anomalous. The system requires analyzes the data elements of the data stream using any acceptable user-specified, preset, or automatically determined analysis system. The results of the data processing, which are stored in a data storage structure such as a synaptic web or a data array for example, reveal synaptic paths (patterns) of characteristic algorithm values that function to individually define or delimit the selected data element(s) from the remainder of the original data stream.
US08230256B1
A method and apparatus for achieving high availability in a computer cluster is provided. In one embodiment, a method for failing over a software application to a virtual machine from a physical computing environment comprises processing at least one virtual machine file at a backup computer, wherein the at least one virtual machine file is preconfigured with a software application that is hosted by a computer cluster and in response to an occurrence a fault at the computer cluster, accessing the at least one virtual machine file to operate the software application.
US08230253B2
A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium. The computer executable code is operable to dynamically adjust quorum requirements for a voting set V of a server cluster, including a plurality of servers, to ensure that a response of the server cluster to a client request remains Byzantine fault tolerant when at least one of: a failed server of the server cluster is replaced with at least one new server, such that a total set S of servers that have ever been members of the server cluster is increased, and an existing server is removed from the voting set V.
US08230248B2
A system and a method of providing a time-out for a device, such as a printer are provided. The time-out determines when the device is shifted from a higher energy to a lower energy mode, absent the arrival of another job to be processed by the device. The method includes acquiring data comprising a set of inter-arrival times for at least one device over a period of time, such as a week and, for each of a set of candidate time-outs, deriving a probability from the data that an inter-arrival time from the set of inter-arrival times is greater than the candidate time-out. A cost function is computed, based on the derived probability and a robustness term which allows adversarial action not predicted by the histogram to be taken into account. A time-out for the at least one device can then be identified for which the cost function is a minimum.
US08230237B2
A pre-boot environment is disclosed that manages power of a computing device prior to an operating system runtime phase. The pre-boot environment may be implemented in a computing device having a storage device to store an operating system, a firmware device to store firmware having a boot loader to load and initiate execution of the operating system, and a processor to execute the firmware and the operating system. The firmware in response to being executed by the processor may result in the computing device monitoring operating conditions of the computing device, and initiating a power management response based upon the operating conditions of the computing device and a power management policy.
US08230226B2
A method, computer program product, and computing device for obtaining an uncompressed digital media data file. One or more default watermarks is inserted into the uncompressed digital media data file to form a watermarked uncompressed digital media data file. The watermarked uncompressed digital media data file is compressed to form a first watermarked compressed digital media data file. The first watermarked compressed media data file is stored on a storage device. The first watermarked compressed media data file is retrieved from the storage device. The first watermarked compressed digital media data file is modified to associate the first watermarked compressed digital media data file with a transaction identifier to form a second watermarked compressed digital media data file.
US08230225B2
A method and system for certified publication of content. A content-supplier provides content and supplies an access-server with a content-description and digital signature. A content-certifier obtains an access-token from the access-server and submits the access-token to the content-supplier with a request to obtain the content to be certified. The content-supplier works with the access-server to validate the token and then provides the content to the content-certifier. After validating the digital signature, the content-certifier certifies the content and provides a certification-flag to the access-server, and the access-server updates a content-catalog entry for the content to indicate that the content is certified. An analogous process can be carried out to thereafter deliver the content to a third party. The invention is particularly useful to facilitate certification of test scripts, but the invention can be used in other contexts as well, such as to certify media in a peer-to-peer distribution system.
US08230219B2
Authentication methods are provided that allow for superior security, power consumption, and resource utilization over existing authentication methods. By computing only two hashes of a shared secret password for each protocol run, the methods described in this disclosure dramatically reduce the computational power needed to perform authentication. Similarly, by exchanging these hashes bitwise or piecewise for verification, rather than performing new hashes including each bit of the password separately, the methods described in this disclosure reveal less information about the password being authenticated than existing methods. The methods described in this disclosure also allow for authentication using fewer messages and with lower latency, reducing the amount of operational power used in the authentication process.
US08230217B2
A method and system provide for secure sharing of arbitrary data between users with limited mutual trust. A user can encode its information by using a Slepian-Wolf code at a rate which enables a second user to correctly decode only if the side-information it has satisfies a conditional entropy constraint. The key advantages are as follows. Firstly, it is very flexible, in that it enables secure sharing for general data including multimedia data. Secondly, by appropriate Slepian-Wolf code selection, it enables compression in conjunction with security. Thirdly, it can be used for the case where the data model is imperfectly known and trust is to be built up incrementally.
US08230207B2
Systems and methods of providing security to an external Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) device are described herein. A controller is connected between the eSATA device and the computing device. On startup, the controller presents a first partition of eSata device as a Read Only Memory, e.g., CD-ROM, but at the same time it restricts access of the computing device to a second partition of the eSata device until receiving a valid identity authentication. The second partition is preferably encrypted with a key stored on a first partition. Decryption is performed in the controller as part of presenting the eSata device. The authentication process is preferably stored in the first partition and downloaded to the computing device on startup.
US08230200B2
An image forming apparatus includes a job-history managing unit that creates and manages a job history, registers a job history, as a job history instance, containing an operation code that instructs a series of job operations to be executed and also containing an operating condition of the job operation, and that registers a macro instance which can be interpreted by other image forming apparatuses and is encoded to an executable shared code. The image forming apparatus also includes an interpreter unit that reads the job history instance, encodes the operation code to the shared code, and registers the shared code as the macro instance.
US08230196B1
Example embodiments for configuring a non-volatile memory device may comprise configuring M physical partitions of the non-volatile memory into two or more banks, wherein the two or more banks respectively comprise one or more of the M physical partitions, and wherein at least a first of the M physical partitions comprises a first size and wherein at least a second of the M physical partitions comprises a second size.
US08230192B2
The present invention is directed to a method for providing Quality Of Service (QoS)-based storage tiering and migration in a storage system. The method allows for configurable application data latency thresholds to be set on a per user basis and/or a per application basis so that a storage tiering mechanism and/or a storage migrating mechanism may be triggered for moving application data to a different class of storage.
US08230190B1
A fixed disc drive includes a built-in user level security system. The system includes instructions that create an user interface upon a computer allowing interaction with security features of the drive without relying upon BIOS compatibility. In a specific embodiment, the user level security interface is provided by the disc drive during the system boot sequence. A method of disc drive security includes receiving a request from a computer to provide an operating system, and responsively providing user level security interface instructions. The user level security instructions are then executed by the computer to generate a user level security interface. If the drive is in a locked state, the interface requires an user to provide an acceptable password otherwise access to data on the drive is forbidden or otherwise restricted.
US08230182B2
Some embodiments provide for a method of mapping a user design to a configurable integrated circuit (IC). The method is for a configurable IC that implements a user design with an associated user design clock cycle. The IC operates on a sub-cycle clock that has multiple sub-cycle periods within a user period of the user design clock cycle. The method identifies multiple port accesses to a first multi-port memory defined in the user design. The accesses are in a single user design clock cycle. The method maps the multiple port accesses to the first multi-port memory to multiple physical-port memory accesses to a second physical-port memory in the configurable IC during multiple sub-cycles associated with a single user design clock cycle.
US08230181B2
Disclosed are a method and apparatus for protecting memory consistency in a multiprocessor computing system, relating to program code conversion such as dynamic binary translation. The exemplary multiprocessor computing system provides memory and multiple processors, and a set of controller/translator units TX1, TX2, TX3 arranged to convert respective application programs into program threads T1, T2, etc., which are executed by the processors. Each controller/translator unit sets a first mode where a single thread T1 executes on a single processor P1, orders a second mode for two or more threads T1, T2 that are forced to execute one at a time on a single processor P2 such as by setting affinity with that processor, and orders a third mode to selectively apply active memory consistency protection in relation to accesses to explicit or implicit shared memory while allowing the multiple threads T1, T2, T3, T4 to execute on the multiple processors.
US08230179B2
Administering non-cacheable memory load instructions in a computing environment where cacheable data is produced and consumed in a coherent manner without harming performance of a producer, the environment including a hierarchy of computer memory that includes one or more caches backed by main memory, the caches controlled by a cache controller, at least one of the caches configured as a write-back cache. Embodiments of the present invention include receiving, by the cache controller, a non-cacheable memory load instruction for data stored at a memory address, the data treated by the producer as cacheable; determining by the cache controller from a cache directory whether the data is cached; if the data is cached, returning the data in the memory address from the write-back cache without affecting the write-back cache's state; and if the data is not cached, returning the data from main memory without affecting the write-back cache's state.
US08230174B2
A multi-queue FIFO memory device that uses existing pins of the device to load a desired number of queues (N) into a queue number register is provided. The queue number register is coupled to a queue size look-up table (LUT), which provides a queue size value in response to the contents of the queue number register. The queue size value indicates the amount of memory (e.g., the number of memory blocks) to be included in each of the N queues. The queue size value is provided to a queue start/end address generator, which automatically generates the start and end address associated with each queue in response to the queue size value. These start and end addresses are stored in queue address register files, which enable proper memory read/write and flag counter operations.
US08230169B2
There is provided an electronic apparatus including a plurality of hard disk drives having a standby state and an active state as power application state. The electronic apparatus includes a drive setting portion to set each of the plurality of hard disk drives to a cache hard disk drive or a storage hard disk drive so as to use one hard disk drive in the active state as a cache hard disk drive and use a remaining hard disk drive as a storage hard disk drive, and a power control portion to control application of power to each of the hard disk drives according to setting by the drive setting portion.
US08230164B2
Techniques are provided for identifying at least one aspect associated with a lifetime of each of a plurality of memory devices. Further, data is moved between the plurality of memory devices, based on the at least one aspect.
US08230161B2
A data backup method for backing up data temporarily stored in a cache memory of a flash memory storage device is provided, where the flash memory storage device has a plurality of physical units. The data backup method includes logically grouping a portion of the physical units into a data area and a cache area. The data backup method also includes determining whether a trigger signal is received; and when the trigger signal is received, copying the data temporarily stored in the cache memory into the cache area. Accordingly, the data backup method can quickly write the data temporarily stored in the cache memory into the physical units, thereby preventing a time out problem which may occur in the flash memory storage device.
US08230160B2
A flash memory storage system including a flash memory chip, a connector, and a flash memory controller is provided. The flash memory controller configures a plurality of logical addresses and maps the logical addresses to a part of the physical addresses in the flash memory chip, and a host system uses a file system to access the logical addresses. Besides, the flash memory controller identifies a deleted logical address among the logical addresses and marks data in the physical address mapped to the deleted logical address as invalid data.
US08230155B2
Described techniques increase runtime performance of workloads executing on a hypervisor by executing virtualization-aware code in an otherwise non virtualization-aware guest operating system. In one implementation, the virtualization-aware code allows workloads direct access to physical hardware devices, while allowing the system memory allocated to the workloads to be overcommitted. In one implementation, a DMA filter driver is inserted into an I/O driver stack to ensure that the target virtual memory of a DMA transfer is resident before the transfer begins. The DMA filter driver may utilize a cache to track which pages of memory are resident. The cache may also indicate which pages of memory are in use by one or more transfers, enabling the hypervisor to avoid appropriating pages of memory during a transfer.
US08230154B2
A system is provided that facilitates read access in a memory device. The system comprises a plurality of row addresses buffers that store high order addresses associated with one or more software threads. The system further comprises a plurality of row data buffers. The row data buffers are each associated with at least one row address buffer and store row data within the range of the high order addresses of the row address buffers. The system increase memory device performance by limiting the latency associated with context switching. The plurality of row address buffers and row data buffers enables software threads to associate with one or more buffers and maintain efficient subsequent memory accesses despite context switching.
US08230148B2
Systems and methods for transmitting and processing interrupts by embedding interrupt information into a serial data stream are disclosed. An event is detected and converted into an interrupt signal. The interrupt signal is converted into a special interrupt character or symbol sequence. The special interrupt character or symbol sequence is embedded into a serial data stream at the next available character or symbol boundary and transmitted to a receiving controller. The receiving controller strips the special interrupt character or symbol sequence from the serial data stream and raises a corresponding interrupt. The receiving controller processes the interrupt by interrupting normal processing to run an interrupt subroutine. Once the receiver has detected and raised an interrupt, it can return an acknowledgement character or symbol sequence by the same mechanism. The transmitter can repeat the interrupt embedding and transmission if it fails to receive the acknowledgement within a predetermined period of time.
US08230121B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for identifying a desired device handle in a computer system such as a personal computer running Linux™. The desired device handle is capable of facilitating or providing for interaction with a desired peripheral device, such as a USB™ device. The invention comprises providing a database containing information associating device handles with peripheral devices. A first portion of the database is scanned for information associated with the desired peripheral device. This information is used in determining a second portion of the database, which is scanned for information indicative of the desired device handle. The desired device handle is then identified.
US08230104B2
Systems and methods provide for discontinuous download of media files. The system and method work within the bounds of simple, existing, open protocols and the media files served are playable by standard media playback clients. The method is driven by a request to play a media file from any location within the media file, including sections of the media file that the initial download has not yet reached. The method comprises downloading the media file in segments corresponding to the location in the media file that the user desires to view and merging the segments. The method allows for tracking of which segments have been downloaded and which have not.
US08230103B2
A method of access by a client computer to a digital image stored on a server computer via a communication network, the digital image being represented by sets of digital data associated respectively with various blocks (Bi) and various resolution levels (Rj) of the image or with various blocks (Bi) and various quality levels (Qk) of the image, comprises a step (E47) of identifying a set of data to be acquired, a step (E48) of calculating the size in bits (b) of the set of data to be acquired, a step (E49) of comparing a number of acquired data bits (B) incremented by the calculated size (b) with a predetermined bit threshold value (S), and a step (E52) of acquiring the set of data identified if the number of data bits acquired incremented by the calculated size (B+b) is less than the predetermined bit threshold value (S).Has particular use for limiting free access to a digital image.
US08230101B2
Transfer control means (41) transfers part of held digital contents in an internal storage device (51) to a network storage device (57). List information presentation means (42) returns list information which makes the digital contents stored in the internal storage device (51) and the network storage device (57) as the held digital contents in response to a list presentation request for the held digital contents. Upon reception of a data transmission request, search means (43) searches where the held digital contents are currently stored. If the result of the search shows the network storage device (57), content data transmission processing means (44) allows the stream-delivery of the data from the network storage device (57) to a network player (56). There is provided a server device for media (40) capable of maintaining the convenience of playback in a network player, while properly dealing with the large total size of held digital contents.
US08230099B2
A system for sharing playlists utilizes a network, such as the Internet. A player device other than a general purpose computer, such as a dedicated media player or a remote control for a dedicated media player, is in communication with the server over the network. The player device is configured to receive a playlist, queue the playlist, display the playlist, and play a selection from the playlist. A user profile may be used to identify playlists that are likely to contain selections of interest to the user.
US08230097B2
A broadcast system provides support for clients to receive transmissions over a unicast or a multicast channel from a broadcast server. A server administrator configures each of a first server and client systems connected to the server to receive data in one of a multicast or unicast transmission mode. An empirical test determines whether an intervening network can support the configured mode and if not, transmission is performed using a fall back mode. The first server is able to provide access to data streams from other servers to the client systems connected thereto. Upon requesting a data stream from another server, the first server receives the data stream, replicates the data stream, transmits the data stream to the requesting client system and stores the replicated data stream for immediate access by any requesting client server connected thereto.
US08230094B1
Digital content encoded in a media file format may be presented by accessing the media file, reading parameters that describe the content, and processing the media file using the encoded parameters to “play” or generate output. Although the media file format may have multiple optional extensions, the media file generally includes one or more frames. Each frame may include a synchronized frame with the synchronized frame having a synchronized header, a video format indicator, an audio format indicator, a width indicator, a height indicator, a frame rate index, and a payload. Although the digital content may include different types and formats, the parameters used in the media file may be used to describe the digital content so that it may be processed independent of the underlying algorithm used. For example, multiple channels of audio signals may be described.
US08230090B2
Systems and methods that provide transmission control protocol (TCP) offloading and uploading are provided. In one example, a multiple stack system may include a software stack and a hardware stack. The software stack may be adapted to process a first set of TCP packet streams. The hardware stack may be adapted to process a second set of TCP packet streams and may be coupled to the software stack. The software stack may be adapted to offload one or more TCP connections to the hardware stack. The hardware stack may be adapted to upload one or more TCP connections to the software stack. The software stack and the hardware stack may process one or more TCP connections concurrently.
US08230083B2
A communication adapter apparatus connects electrical apparatuses, sensors, and other apparatuses to a network. In order to obtain a communication adapter apparatus that is capable of realizing simplification of setting at the time of execution of works, simplification of execution of works, reduction of power consumption, and simplification of system setting, the communication adapter apparatus is a communication adapter that connects one of plural connection object apparatuses having an apparatus object consisting of information, which is based on functions of the apparatuses, and operable control items, respectively and a network to which a controller for remotely controlling the connection object apparatus is connected.
US08230082B2
A technique for use in a client, wherein the client supports a state-based signaling protocol (e.g., Session Initiation Protocol or SIP), includes initiating a given session state between the client and a server that also supports the state-based signaling protocol, and refreshing the given session state in a randomized manner. Further, a technique for use in a server, wherein the server supports a state-based signaling protocol (again, e.g., SIP), includes randomly assigning an expiration time duration for a given session state between the server and a client that also supports the state-based signaling protocol, and reporting the randomly assigned expiration time for the given session state to the client. By randomizing various behaviors of the client, the server, or both, bursty traffic in the communication network is reduced or eliminated.
US08230079B2
A method for communicating video data between at least a first host and a second host comprises: identifying, at a server, an address of the first host, to which the second host may communicate video data, and a sequence number expected by a network security system coupled between the first host and the server; and communicating, from the second host to the first host, video data using the address of the first host and the sequence number expected. The method may further comprise: identifying, at the server, an address of the second host, to which the first host may communicate video data, and a second sequence number expected by a network security system coupled between the second host and the server; and communicating, from the first host to the second host, video data using the address of the second host and the second expected sequence number. The second host may be adapted to perform the act of communicating without use of an intermediate server. The method may also further comprise communicating periodically, from the first host to the server, through the network security system, so as to maintain an open communication channel through the network security system to the first host at the address of the first host. The address of the first host may include address information and port information.
US08230071B1
A network services platform provides services to remote enterprise networks. The services platform provides a control module to a computer in the enterprise network. The control module executes on the computer and interacts with the services platform to establish an Internet Protocol (IP) tunnel between the services platform and the computer. The control module also establishes a bridge between the IP tunnel and the enterprise network. The services platform allocates a unique private IP address space to the enterprise network, and translates IP addresses in network communications between enterprise network addresses and corresponding services platform addresses in the allocated unique private address space. The services platform provides network services to the enterprise network via the IP tunnel and bridge.
US08230070B2
A system and method for providing grid computing on a network of computing nodes, which includes a configurable service container executable at the nodes, including message dispatching, communication, network membership and persistence modules, and adapted to host pluggable service modules. When executed at the nodes, at least one instance of the container includes a membership service module for maintaining network connectivity between the nodes, at least one instance of the container includes a scheduler service module configured to receive one or more tasks from a client and schedule the tasks on at least one of the nodes, and at least one instance of the container includes an executor service module for receiving one or more tasks from the scheduler service module, executing the tasks so received and returning at least one result to the scheduler service module.
US08230059B1
An embodiment of monitoring resource usage in a computing environment begins with a first client registering a session with a monitoring entity. The session comprises an event type, a count, a start condition, an end condition, and a sample type. Next, a second client registers with the session. Upon occurrence of the start condition and until occurrence of the end condition or until interrupted, the monitoring entity iteratively initiates a counting of occurrences of the event type that continues until reaching the count and saves a sample according to the sample type upon reaching the count. The resource monitoring entity provides at least a portion of a plurality of samples to the first client.
US08230056B2
A Managed Site (10), a logical network entity, is composed of a number of Sub Sites (20) in a one to many relationship. A Sub Site (20) is a logical component, which is composed of a number of Engines (30). Nodes (40) similarly relates to their Engine (30) in a many to one relationship. A Node (40) is a collection of Managed Elements (ME's) (50) (while being an ME (50) itself), which represent network state information. The subsite (20) consists of the engine (30) connected to server nodes (40). One or more clients (110) are connected to the management engine (30) and access management engine (30) information relating to managed elements (50) including nodes (40). The connected manager engines may communicate with one another so that, for example, in the event of a failure, one of the manager engines remaining on line commences monitoring of manage elements assigned to the failed manager engine. Upon accessing the manager engine (30), the client interface displays relationships among managed elements (50) using meaningful connectors and tree-like structures. In addition to basic managed element state monitoring functionality, the manager engine (30) provides a variety of automated tasks ensuring the health of the network and optimal failure correction in the event of a problem. For example, the manager engine (30) performs root cause analysis utilizing an algorithm tracing through manged element (50) relationships and indicating the source of the failure.
US08230052B2
This paper describes a server diagnostic module toolkit which provides for the non-intrusive inspection and/or data transformation of stages, modules, and data on a server utilizing a request-response protocol. Diagnostic modules are installed on a server so that diagnostic commands may be sent by a client within an otherwise normal request and received by the server to invoke debugging and monitoring functionality during the normal runtime processing of the server. Diagnostic data may then be stored and later retrieved so that debugging and monitoring may be accomplished without disturbing the normal processing of requests by the server.
US08230049B2
When an information processing apparatus has moved from one sub-area to another sub-area, anycast is performed to a plurality of management servers using an IP address for anycast in accordance with network management information. Network management information is acquired from a management server which has responded to the anycast. The acquired network management information and installed device driver information are analyzed. If there is a device driver for a device belonging to the sub-area managed by the management server which has responded, one of the devices belonging to the other sub-area is selected as a default device. This arrangement enables the selection of an appropriate default printer when a client has moved from a network environment managed by one management server to another network environment managed by another management server.
US08230048B2
Configuring a client device including associating a hook in a configuration bundle with customized programming, downloading the configuration bundle for a client device to a services gateway, and executing the configuration bundle on the services gateway, including calling the hook.
US08230035B2
The present invention provides a method involving a femtocell in communication with a secure core network such as an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. The method includes receiving, from the femtocell and at a first secure entity in the IMS network, a global challenge including information indicating a random number. The method also includes receiving an authentication response computed by a mobile unit based on the random number and the first key known by the mobile unit and not known by the femtocell. The method further includes determining, at the first secure entity, that the random number is a legitimate random number provided to the femtocell by the IMS network.
US08230031B2
A method of enhanced instant messaging in a communication network is provided. The method comprises instantiating an instant query message received from a message initiator as a message object. The method further comprises assigning a context identifier and a context queue to the message object based on a context of the message object. The message object is delegated to one or more users if a reply to the message object is not available in a database. Thereafter, one or more replies received for the message object are aggregated in the context queue of the message object and at least one reply is sent to the message initiator.
US08230013B2
Techniques for facilitating communication between a first group communication system and a second group communication system. A naming convention of the first group communication system allows at least one name which contravenes a naming convention of the second group communication system. A communicator is joined to the second group communication system. The communicator was previously joined to the first group communication system and has a first name at the first group communication system. The communicator has a second name at the second group communication system. The second name can be requested from the second group communication system. The second name can also be generated by applying an algorithm to the first name. A processor performs translation between the first name and the second name in a communication between the communicator and the second group communication system. The translation is performed based on a translation data structure.
US08230008B2
A server receives one or more hashes from a client, where each of the hashes represents a graphics structure maintained by the client. A first hash is generated from a graphics structure according to a hash algorithm, where the graphics structure is generated from an application hosted within the server, where the graphics structure represents a display output of the application. It is determined whether there is an existing hash from the one or more hashes received from the client that matches the first hash. The first hash is transmitted to the client without sending the graphics structure if there is an existing hash matching the first hash. The first hash is used by the client to identify a graphics structure maintained by the client for rendering a display of the client.
US08230007B2
The present invention is related to a technology for grasping the number of a plurality of terminals of a client using a Cookie in a private network in which plural terminals are shared by redirecting a session which is to be connected to a Web by analyzing a TCP/IP packet, detecting the accurate number of a plurality of terminals of a client using an Internet, and making the accurate number as a DB, and selectively permitting or blocking a connection to Internet according to TCP/IP by using the Cookie pool information of a DB type and JOB when the users configuring and using a private network connect to the Internet at the same time.
US08230001B2
Methods and systems for providing information a client requested about a system using scripts are described. In one embodiment, one or more scripts request information about a computer system. A translator receives the information about the system from the scripts. The translator stores the information about the system in readily accessible data structures.
US08229998B2
An open interface device and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes i) receiving a standard application program interface (API) input for performing a biz template from a CP/SP, ii) generating a session key of the biz template, iii) performing an authentication process for a biz template requested by the CP/SP, iv) transforming the received standard API input from the CP/SP to a biz template performing request message by analyzing the received standard API input and transmitting the biz template performing request message to the business logic processing unit, v) receiving the biz template performing result message from the business logic processing unit and transforming the received biz template performing result message to a message format to transmit to the CP/SP and vi) transferring the biz template performing result message to the CP/SP.
US08229996B2
A server receives a request and identifies a corresponding task with core and peripheral components. The server performs the core components and collects relevant context data. The server returns a result to the requester based on having performed the core components, and constructs a message including the collected context data and sends same to an asynchronous message collector. An asynchronous message processor takes up and processes the message from the collector to perform the peripheral components. Thus, the message processor performs less-time-sensitive peripheral work independent of the server and allows the server to attend to more-time-sensitive core work.
US08229980B2
Techniques involving state buckets are described. In an implementation, a plurality of axes are defined, each corresponding to a proposed separation or unification of state for software. For each of the axes, one or more scenarios are determined that are enabled by the defined separation or unification of the state for the software. The defined plurality of axes are then prioritized, one to another, based on respective said one or more scenarios. A plurality of buckets are defined based on the prioritizing, each corresponding to one or more said axes.
US08229977B1
A system is provided comprising a processor, database, memory, and application that builds a frequently asked question facility for a web site supported by a frequently asked question portion of the database. The facility provides an interface for adding questions, answers, answer references, and defining subordination among entries. The system builds a trouble reporting facility supported by a trouble reporting portion of the database, wherein the facility provides an interface for adding trouble descriptions, identifying an individual assigned to fix the trouble, and adding comments. The system builds an enhancement tracking facility for the site supported by an enhancement portion of the database and coupled to the trouble reporting facility. An enhancement entry in the enhancement portion of the database is created by converting a trouble ticket entry in the trouble ticket portion of the database. The system builds a documentation facility supported by a documentation portion of the database.
US08229972B2
In one embodiment, an extended data storage system employs a first data storage and an extended data storage. A first level of metadata is established with respect to data from the using entity, the first level of metadata is provided in the first data storage. The data from the using entity is stored in the extended data storage. A second level of metadata at least describing the data as stored in the extended data storage is also established, wherein the second level of metadata associated with the first level of metadata for the stored data. The first level of metadata is made accessible to the using entity at the first data storage; and the second level of metadata is made unavailable to the using entity. Thus, the data is stored in the extended data storage and a small amount of metadata is stored in the first data storage.
US08229966B2
A tree-structured database is collapsed into a two-column table. The two-column table includes a characteristic key value for a given leaf node in the first column and the system identification (SID) relating to the characteristic key value in the second column and also identifying the node that leads to the characteristic key value. Data is presented by coupling the characteristic key value with a transaction table. A query that is formulated in an infocube may be translated to a relational data base query, collapsed, and reformulated into an infocube result set, or vice versa.
US08229963B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a schema to describe the structure of a data store that may be used to query the data store. The schema may include a property description describing static and contextual attributes of a property of the data store. The schema may also include a property reference describing contextual attributes of a property of the data store, while referencing static attributes from a property description in another schema. In some instances, the schema may further describe item types and/or kinds for the data store.
US08229961B2
Some embodiments of a system and a method to detect contention for resource in a cluster file system have been presented. For instance, a processing device may measure time spent performing actual operations by each of a set of nodes in a cluster file system when a respective node holds a lock on a resource and time spent performing overhead operations by the set of nodes without synchronization of clocks across the cluster file system. Then the processing device can determine latency and throughput of the cluster file system based on the time spent performing actual operations and the time spent performing overhead operations.
US08229960B2
Described is a summarizing a web entity (e.g., a person, place, product or so forth) based upon the entity's appearance in web documents (e.g., on the order of hundreds of millions or billions of webpages). Webpages are separated into blocks, which are then processed according to various features to filter the number of blocks to further process, and rank the most relevant blocks with respect to the entity that remain. A redundancy removal mechanism removes redundant blocks, leaving a set of remaining blocks that are used to provide a summary of information that is relevant to the entity.
US08229953B2
Techniques for improved metric correlation and analysis include, during a modeling phase, a user familiar with the types of system components deployed in an enterprise network and the metrics available for those types of system components specifying dependencies between metrics in a metric dependency model. During a binding phase, the metric dependency model is provided to a modified enterprise management (MEM) system which binds the model to particular enterprise system environment. During a metric correlation and analysis phase, the MEM system provides a user-interface through which a user visually compares metric data for metrics collected from system components deployed in an enterprise system environment bound to the model. The improved metric correlation analysis techniques allow users to more easily identify whether degradation in the performance of one metric is caused by performance degradation of underlying information technology system components as measured by related metrics specified in the metric dependency model.
US08229951B2
Users searching for common subject matter on a computer network are identified and enabled to communicate with one another, such as by engaging in an on-line chat. The users' search queries are transmitted to a server and processed to identify which users are searching for common subject matter within a time window. A dialogue such as an on-line chat is launched and the identified users are invited to join. The users may preview the chat before joining. The users can share links to resources such as web pages and provide annotations to accompany the links. Additionally, the users' search queries may be shared in the chat. The functionality may be provided by a plug-in to web browser software, or by an executable script embedded in a web page of search results.
US08229949B2
Described is a next search keyword presentation apparatus, method and program for the presentation of the next recommended search keyword for use in conjunction with the search results. There is provided an apparatus of presenting relevant next search keywords, including an input unit for inputting a search keyword. A search control unit sends search keywords to a search system and receives search results which are displayed as documents on a display unit. A text body extraction unit extracts the text body and an analysis unit carries out a semantic attribute analysis of words contained within the text body. The search keywords are stored as user history data which is used with semantic attributes of each word to create document representative information. A cluster representative keyword extraction unit clusters document characteristic information and extracts cluster representative keywords which are displayed as search keyword candidates, providing recommended keywords based on browsing history.
US08229943B2
There is provided a computer-implemented method of modifying a query executing in a database management system. The method comprises sending a no-wait message for the query to a control broker. The method also comprises receiving a reply to the no-wait message from the control broker. The reply to the no-wait message specifies a modification to the query. Additionally, the method comprises performing the modification.
US08229924B2
Disclosed are a system, method, and computer readable medium for collecting statistics associated with data in a database. The method comprises determining an amount of memory needed to collect statistics for data associated with a defined data type in a relational database. The defined data type is based upon a mark-up language using a tree structure with one or more root-to-node paths therein. The amount of memory as determined is allocated for collecting the statistics for the data of the defined data type. A statistics collection is performed for the data of the defined data type in a single pass through the database and within the amount of memory which has been allocated.
US08229923B2
A system and techniques for executing queries of a sparse multidimensional data space in the presence of expressions. A dimension is associated with a set of data references, which reference stored data items. A query expression has dimension or a data reference as an operand. A result space with one or more result dimensions is defined based on the query. A plan is built and executed for retrieving the stored data items associated with the result dimensions, and forming “calculated data items” by evaluating the expression. Executing the plan produces a stream of data tuples, each having a set of data components storing the retrieved data items and/or the calculated data items. Data components are either empty or have data values. An iterative algorithm is employed on the stream to locate the data tuples that are empty at the intersection of each result dimension.
US08229887B2
A method of integrating large volumes of updates in a database system. Each individual update includes of a coherent set of data records supplied by a data provider. The database system includes a master file repository and an active image repository. The method includes first obtaining for each individual update a unique modification identifier from a logistic table of the database system. The master file repository is then updated with the coherent set of data records of each uniquely identified individual update. A unique commit identifier is further obtained from the logistic table for each individual update that has been committed by the master file. The active image repository is synchronized by successively loading into the active image each individual update. Completion of the propagation of each individual update into the active image repository is achieved when the loading of each corresponding set of data records is committed by the active image.
US08229880B2
The invention relates to a method for performing acid fracturing operations of an oilfield. The method includes obtaining a plurality of historical data of acid fracturing treatments of the oilfield, generating a neural network based on the plurality of historical data, identifying a stimulation parameter, in the neural network, associated with optimal performance of the acid fracturing treatments, and establishing a best practice procedure for performing the acid fracturing operations based on the stimulation parameter.
US08229878B2
A computer implemented method used to interpret text, including from a set of formal glossaries which may refer one to the other and are intended to define precisely the terminology of a field of endeavor. Such glossaries are known as intelligent, in the sense that they allow machines to make deductions, without the need for human intervention. However, they may also accept human intervention. Once a word is defined in an intelligent glossary, all the logical consequences of the use of that word in a formal and well-formed sentence are computable. The process includes a question and answer mechanism, which applies the definitions contained in the intelligent glossaries to a given formal sentence. The methods may be applied in the development of knowledge management methods and tools that are based on semantics; for example: modeling of essential knowledge in the field based on the relevant semantics.
US08229856B1
A method for distributing music to a wireless communication device such as cellular telephone is provided. The method includes the step of providing a subscription service for the device, wherein the subscription service allows the device to download up to N music recordings onto the device from an on-line music content distribution site or sites, where N is an integer greater than one. The music is provided with restrictions designed to prevent effective transport of the music recordings off of the device in digital form such that the recordings cannot be played on other digital devices of any kind. The subscription service allows that the device may play the downloaded music recordings an unlimited number of plays. The subscription service also allows that the device may swap one music recording for another music recording, and may have a maximum number (S) of swaps in a given period. The service further includes billing the subscriber associated with the device a fee for the music subscription service. The values for N and S may be user configurable. The billing may also depend on the values of N and S.
US08229850B2
A system receives account access information from a user. The account is then accessed using the received access information. Data is harvested from a web page associated with the account or received from another financial data source. The user's ability to access the account is authenticated based on the obtained information.
US08229846B1
A computer-implemented method is disclosed for rewarding mortgage customers of a financial institution. The method includes providing enrollment in a mortgage matching system to eligible mortgage customers, wherein eligibility requirements include the requirement that eligible mortgage customers hold both a mortgage account and a checking account with the financial institution. The customer makes periodic mortgage payments from the checking account to the mortgage account. The method monitors continued compliance with the eligibility requirements and submission of the periodic payments using a monitoring engine. The method further includes determining a reward payment amount to be made to each complying mortgage customer, wherein the reward payment amount is a predetermined percentage of principal and interest paid during a predetermined time period. The calculated reward payment amount is transferred to a pre-selected accessible location for each complying mortgage customer.
US08229842B2
A system and method for news-based trading are developed. According to one method, a trader can pre-define a trading strategy including a number of trading rules to be applied based on a comparison of one or more estimated event values to the respective actual event values to be released at some later time. The example method further includes, upon receiving one or more actual event values via a user input or directly from outside sources, executing one or more predefined trading rules selected based on the comparison of the received actual event values to the respective estimated indicator values.
US08229832B2
Systems and methods for trading an item in an electronic trading system are provided. The method preferably includes transitioning the trading system from a first trading state to a second trading state. Once the trading system has transitioned to the second state, the method includes determining whether an existing order qualifies for trading priority and/or exclusivity in the second trading state with respect to an incoming contra order. This determining of trading rights in the second trading state is preferably based on the status of trading priority in the first trading state and also a set of predetermined criteria with respect to an incoming contra order in the second trading state. If the existing order qualifies for trading priority, then the system preferably presents the incoming contra order for trading exclusively or semi-exclusively to the participant associated with the existing order.
US08229831B2
The present invention is systems and methods for trading. In accordance with these systems and methods, a plurality of trader work stations that are connected to a central server may be provided. Through the work stations and central server, the systems and methods may perform participant qualification, instrument creation, bid/offer entry and response, when hit and take, workup, price retention, price improvement, request for market, bid/off restoration, price generation, position conversion, marking to market, and delivery functions.
US08229829B2
System and method for processing data related to financial instruments for providing deferred income
A computer system for processing data related to financial instruments for providing deferred income includes a data storage device storing data relating to financial instruments representing a right to receive a fixed amount at fixed intervals for a lifetime commencing at a fixed start date, and, for classes of financial instruments, a price of the instrument, the fixed amount, interval and start date. The system further includes a processor configured to receive via a communication module data indicative of a request to purchase financial instruments, including a payment amount, age of the individual purchaser, and to determine, based on the received payment amount and age data, a number and class of the financial instruments for issue to the individual purchaser and to output data for generation of the determined number and class of the financial instruments for issue to the individual purchaser.
US08229822B2
A computer-implemented method for evaluating an investment employs entries and associated impact groups to define analytical lines that represent financial activity of a business entity over time. Distribution factors can be used to allocate the value of the respective entries over corresponding user-defined time periods. Annual entries can be defined and allocated into corresponding entries. Conditional calculations pertaining to the analytical lines can also be carried out. In addition, rules-based logic can be used to adjust dates pertaining to the analytical lines (such as shifting days ahead in manner that accommodates for non working days). The analytical lines are processed to simulate information that forecasts financial activity of the business entity. The user can apply variation factors to numeric values used in the method. Such variation factors permit the method to quickly and conveniently model scenarios that affect a primary entry or item or other calculation.
US08229814B2
An invoice processing system includes a requisition and catalog server (referred to as a Req/Cat Web, or RCW, server), a procurement services system (SAP), and a requester terminal (browser). ReqCat Web allows requesters to input requirements (requisitions) which ReqCat then passes to SAP, which creates purchase orders, sends them to vendors for fulfillment, receives the vendors invoices, and prepares the payments. Commodities may be designated as either receivable or non-receivable, and this designation is stored in ReqCat web and passed to SAP on inbound requisitions. Payments on invoices received for non-receivable items are approved via a positive confirmation process, and payments on invoices received for receivable items are approved via a negative confirmation process. Positive acceptance of an invoice by a requester of commodities triggers automatic generation of a goods received (move) ticket.
US08229810B2
A computer method, system and apparatus for generating and tracking time expended by professionals in providing services to their clients on a realtime basis with all services performed through use of a computer including the realtime tracking and generation of billing entries with respect to the daily generation of Internet-based and local area network (LAN) documents and other Internet-based services such as preparation of e-mails and legal research, through integration with existing computer-based systems and programs.
US08229801B2
A tracking system for tracking hotel linen includes a tracking control, a plurality of check points setting at different key locations in a hotel respectively to communicatively link with the tracking control, and a plurality of identification tags arranged for permanently affixing at a plurality of hotel linen products respectively. Each of the identification tags contains a unique code preset by the tracking control to wirelessly communicate with each of the check points. Therefore, when each of the hotel linen products is moved to one of the check points, the corresponding identification tag is registered thereat. A tracking record is generated in the tracking control for the hotel linen products in responsive to each of the check points to monitor and manage the hotel linen products so as to greatly improve linen utilization in the hotel.
US08229800B2
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for creating a virtual shopping area. The method includes receiving a query from a user and an automated input specific to the user from a computing device, generating a list of merchants based on the query and the automated input, generating a virtual shopping area from the list of merchants and based on one or more constraints, and displaying the virtual shopping area on the computing device. One optional step is presenting to the user an interface to purchase query-related items from merchants in the virtual shopping area. The method optionally includes receiving an indication of intent to purchase an item from the user, displaying an image of the item to the user, and dynamically updating the displayed image of the item as the user specifies item-specific details. The list of merchants can be restricted to merchants geographically close to the user.
US08229799B2
A wear apparel fit system on a global computer network enables, the apparel designer to provide apparel data to the fit system, a merchant interface that enables the apparel data to be embedded in a merchant's prior art apparel web pages, a customer of the apparel merchant, using a client computer connected to the global computer network with the ability to shop the apparel merchants display an apparel web page. The web page has a Try-it-on link displayed next to the display of the apparel on the merchant's web page that retrieves a fit program from a third party server, executes the fit program in the client and displays web pages, to try on the apparel for fit using visual color coded indicators overlaid over a wire line image of the customer. The fit system provides privacy to customer by not using a central database system for customer data.
US08229798B2
Systems and techniques for generating item ratings for a user in order to allow for recommendations of selected items for that user. A set of known ratings of different items for a plurality of users is collected and maintained, and these known ratings are used to estimate rating factors influencing ratings, including user and item factors. Initial user and item factors are estimated and new user and item factors are successively added, with the original rating factors being progressively shrunk so as to reduce their magnitude and their contribution to the rating estimation as successive factors are added. When an appropriate number of user and item factors has been estimated, the rating factors are used to estimate ratings of items for a user, and the estimated ratings are employed to generate recommendations for that user.
US08229796B2
An automated direct transaction and delivery system for digital content (“ATDDC”) provides for automated detection of missing digital content or resources required for a player or participant to participate in a multimedia application in either a single player or multiplayer environment is described. The ATDDC automatically detects that a player may not have installed particular required content or that a title update is required in order to participate in a media session or video game. Upon detection of missing content or resources the ATDDC provides direct bid to purchase the content or resources, provides for automatic download, installation and configuration of the content while allowing the player to remain in contact with other players within a party.
US08229790B2
An advertising control method is described. The method includes receiving an advertisement identification message (AIM) (127) at a first mobile device (125), sending the AIM from the first mobile device to a content display unit (CDU) and storing the AIM in the CDU, selecting at least one content item from among a plurality of content items based, at least in part, on at least one stored AIM, the stored AIM being stored in the CDU, and displaying the selected content item on the CDU. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US08229788B2
A system and a method for measuring and monitoring effectiveness of on-line advertising are provided. The system and method provide a code attached to, for example, an advertising banner of a company that may advertise goods and/or services of the company. The code provides a signal to a server when the banner is viewed on a computer of a user. Cookie data is transferred by the server to the computer of the user providing information related to viewing of the advertising banner. Surveys are further presented to users to obtain information related to the effectiveness of the advertising for both exposed users and control users.
US08229783B2
A method and system are used to identify industry segments with highest potential for new customers or new spending for current customers. This includes receiving data, segregated into each of a plurality of industries, relating to a number of small businesses, cost of goods sold for each of the small businesses, and percentage of cost of goods sold that is spent on raw materials and inventory for each of the small businesses. Capturing data, segregated into each of the plurality of industries, relating to average amount charged per current card member, percentage of the current card members charging the raw materials and the inventory, percentage of card member penetration, and total estimated charging for the current card members. Determining which of the plurality of industries or segments of the plurality of the industries are available for a highest potential for new card members or that are available for a greatest amount of incremental increased charging by the current card members. Communicating with the current card members in each of the plurality of industries or segments and receiving data therefrom based on one or more of the previous steps. Communicating with internal and external sources to capture additional industry-specific charging data. Receiving data relating to industry reports and census data. Generating ranked data sets based on the previous steps.
US08229782B1
One embodiment of the present invention distributes data via a network to remotely located individuals. Evaluation feedback by one or more of the individuals is transmitted to others so that the feedback may be used by others to quickly locate the more useful data. The evaluation feedback may be in the form of ratings of product reviews. The feedback helps customers by allowing the more useful reviews can be quickly located.
US08229777B2
This invention is a system and method for automatically managing a multi-step process in which human providers are selected for some purpose. Typical applications include the selection process associated with employment and dating services. The invention is directed to linking and coordinating the various steps of the selection process through automated sequencing, coordinating, tracking and status reporting processes. The interviewee answers questions that are printed, displayed, or spoken by an automated mechanism or questions are printed or displayed for use by a tester or interviewer. Answers can be written, spoken, or entered directly into a system by the interviewee. The invention provides a system and method for automatically scoring and ranking human providers with respect to selection criteria, making use of expert system concepts. Human shoppers are matched up and the usefulness of each match is scored on the basis of stated selection criteria of each human shopper.
US08229774B2
This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time he selects is then removed from the inventory for that activity or event and made not available for any other buyer and such is so indicated by a graphical representation or other such indicator on the online map or picture representing availability of seating or time for that event.
US08229772B2
This invention relates generally to a computer system and method for integrating insurance policy underwriting. In one aspect it integrates the older legacy insurance policy generating systems to on line systems where users access the system through browsers. The computer system to perform the process of underwriting, rating, quoting, binding, and booking an insurance policy includes browsers, data bases, processors and a dispatcher that parses the information to select an insurance process. Suitable software programs review messages received from users to determine if certain messages are less than a prescribed limit. If a message is greater than the limit, then the message is parsed into a header information and one or more data fields whereby the header information is provided to a legacy processor and to policy generation software for further creation of policy related information and documentation.
US08229764B2
A method of identifying data relating to individuals in order to establish chains in said data, the method consisting, in a local center for collecting data, in creating an encoded first identifier of an individual from identification data of said individual, and of said individual's father and mother, in transmitting said first identifier to a central unit, and in said central unit creating an encoded second identifier which is recorded in a database, and in establishing chains in the data by comparing the second identifiers recorded in the database. The invention applies to treating data concerning individuals and having a family component.
US08229752B1
Systems and methods are provided for using automatic speech recognition to analyze a voice interaction and verify compliance of an agent reading a script to a client during the voice interaction. In one aspect of the invention, a method may include conducting the voice interaction between the agent and a client, wherein the agent follows the script via a plurality of panels. From there, the voice interaction is evaluated via the plurality of panels employing panel-by-panel playback with an automatic speech recognition component adapted to analyze the voice interaction. As such, it may be determined, via generating a score using confidence level thresholds of an automatic speech recognition component such that confidence level thresholds are assigned to each of the plurality of panels and evaluating the score against at least one of a static standard and a varying standard, whether the agent has adequately followed the script.
US08229750B2
A method for barging-in a call can include the step of establishing a component as a communication intermediary between at least one speech engine and a telephone gateway. The component can include at least one input media port and at least one output media port, where the input media port and the output media port can interface with selective ones of the speech engines. A barge-in command can be received while an automated prompt is being audibly presented. The signals for the prompt can be conveyed to the component via the output media port. Once the barge-in command has been received, the output media port can be closed to immediately stop the prompt from being presented. A halt command can be conveyed to a prompt generating source so that the source stops generating the prompt.
US08229749B2
There is provided a wide-band LSP prediction device and others capable of predicting a wide-band LSP from a narrow-band LSP with a high quantization efficiency and a high accuracy while suppressing the size of a conversion table correlating the narrow-band LSP to the wide-band LSP. In this device, a non-linear prediction unit (102) performs non-linear prediction by using a converted wide-band LSP inputted from a narrow-band/wide-band conversion unit (101) and inputs the non-linear prediction result to an amplifier (103). The converted wide-band LSP is inputted to an amplifier (104). An adder (122) adds multiplication results (vectors) inputted from the amplifiers (103, 104).
US08229744B2
A method, system, and computer program for class detection and time mediated averaging of class dependent models. A technique is described to take advantage of gender information in training data and how obtain female, male, and gender independent models from this information. By using a probability value to average male and female Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs), dramatic deterioration in cross gender decoding performance is avoided.
US08229740B2
An apparatus for sound enhancement has at least two microphones (9) that provide a directional microphone array which is arranged to be pointed in the direction of a sound source. The directional microphone array thereby receives sound emitted by the sound source and generates sound signals. A processor (20) processors the sound signals generated by the microphone array to enhance the sound received by the directional microphone array from the sound source relative to other sound received by the directional microphone array. The processor (20) generates a corresponding enhanced signal (ES). Loud speakers (22) reproduce the enhanced signal as audible sound. Furthermore, sound suppression devices (7, 7a) are provided to suppress ambient should from reaching the eardrums of the user. This sound suppression acts in conjunction with the directional microphone array and the processor (20) which enhance the SOI to provide a listening environment in which the SOI is enhanced.
US08229735B2
A visualization development system is provided. The system includes a visualization tool to develop one or more visualizations and a grammar engine that operates with the visualization tool to automatically detect visualization problems during the development of the visualizations.
US08229728B2
The present invention adopts the fundamental architecture of a statistical machine translation system which utilizes statistical models learned from the training data and does not require expert knowledge for rule-based machine translation systems. Out of the training parallel data, a certain amount of sentence pairs are selected for manual alignment. These sentences are aligned at the phrase level instead of at the word level. Depending on the size of the training data, the optimal amount for manual alignment may vary. The alignment is done using an alignment tool with a graphical user interface which is convenient and intuitive to the users. Manually aligned data are then utilized to improve the automatic word alignment component. Model combination methods are also introduced to improve the accuracy and the coverage of statistical models for the task of statistical machine translation.
US08229723B2
Various methods and apparatuses are described that provide instrumentation and analysis of an electronic design. A method for providing performance instrumentation and analysis of the electronic design includes defining a first and second set of intended software instrumentation test points and an associated first and second set of performance analysis units. The method further includes instrumenting the first and second sets of software instrumentation test points and the associated first and second sets of performance analysis units to a first model and a second model, respectively. The method further includes creating a first and a second set of software instances associated with the first and second sets of intended software instrumentation test points and associated sets of performance analysis units during run time of a first simulation and a second simulation of the electronic design associated with the first model and second model, respectively.
US08229716B2
Computer implemented methods and systems using a multidimensional Monotonic Lagrangian Grid (MLG) to sort and order locations of aircraft, are used for simulating, controlling, and optimizing aircraft traffic systems. The MLG is combined with algorithms for collision detection and resolution, separation assurance, and updating aircraft trajectories, and applied to test cases of the air transportation system. Physical locations describing aircraft traffic moving in complex paths are stored into a data structure of the multidimensional MLG algorithm. The moving aircraft traffic platforms are sorted and ordered on a grid structure in real space and in an indexing space, causing a monotonic mapping between indices of the grid structure and locations describing the plurality of moving aircraft. Computer operations using data stored in the multidimensional MLG determine control strategies for aircraft separation assurance and optimum routes to circumvent blockages in transport paths.
US08229708B2
Methods and apparatus for signal and interference energy estimation in a communication system. In an aspect, a method includes setting a threshold value, and comparing a channel estimate to the threshold value to determine an interference estimate (Iest). The method also includes averaging the interference estimate (Iest) to determine average channel interference (Ic), and determining interference energy (I) based on the interference estimate (Iest) and the average channel interference (Ic). In another aspect, an apparatus includes threshold logic configured to set a threshold value and compare a channel estimate to the threshold value to determine an interference estimate (Iest). The apparatus includes averaging logic configured to average the interference estimate (Iest) to determine average channel interference (Ic), and summing logic configured to determine interference energy (I) based on the interference estimate (Iest) and average channel interference (Ic).
US08229706B2
Provided is a sampling apparatus that samples a signal under measurement, including a clock control section that generates a plurality of sampling clocks at a plurality of sampling phases at determined non-uniform intervals, so as to cancel out replicas in a sampling band that are not observation targets, from among the replicas of the signal under measurement and the replicas of the negative frequency component of the signal under measurement, in each sampling repetition cycle; and a sampling section that samples the signal under measurement with each of the plurality of sampling clocks.
US08229699B2
Adaptive rule-based methods to solve localization problems for ad hoc wireless sensor networks are disclosed. A large problem may be solved as a sequence of very small subproblems, each of which is solved by semidefinite programming relaxation of a geometric optimization model. The subproblems may be generated according to a set of sensor/anchor selection rules and a priority list. The methods scale well and provide improved positioning accuracy. A dynamic version may be used for estimating moving sensors locations in a real-time environment. The method may use dynamic distance measurement updates among sensors, and utilizes subproblem solving for static sensor localization. Methods to deploy sensor localization algorithms in clustered distributed environments are also provided, permitting application to arbitrarily large networks. In addition, the methods may be used to solve sensor localizations in 2D or 3D space. A preprocessor may be used for localization of networks without absolute position information.
US08229694B2
A coordinate measuring machine includes: a probe that has a contact point capable of movement within a predetermined range; a movement mechanism for moving the probe; and a controller for controlling the movement mechanism. The controller has a measurement value calculating unit for calculating a position of the contact point based on a displacement of the movement mechanism and a displacement of the probe. The measurement value calculating unit includes: a correction parameter calculator for calculating a correction parameter for correcting the displacement of the probe based on a measurement condition in measuring an object; a corrector for correcting the displacement of the probe based on the correction parameter; and a displacement synthesizing unit that synthesizes the displacement of the movement mechanism and the displacement of the probe corrected by the corrector to calculate the position of the contact point.
US08229676B2
A system may include utensil means for portioning a foodstuff into a first portion and a second portion, a means for detecting a first portion size for the first portion with the utensil means, a means for detecting a second portion size for the second portion with the utensil means, and a means for determining a cumulative amount of portioned foodstuff based upon the first portion size and the second portion size.
US08229674B2
A method of grading tubules in a first histological slide image derives a second image of objects in the first image of objects in the first image with boundary characteristics corresponding to tubules. It also derives a third image of second objects in the first image having pixel value characteristic of fat and holes within tubules. It combines data from the second and third images to identify holes within tubules and determines the relative areas of holes as proportions of their tubules to provide ratios, individual tubule ratios and an overall ration for all holes and tubules collectively. The number of tubules containing appreciably sized holes is counted. Tubules are graded by thresholding based on individual and overall tubule/hole area ratios, tubule/object proportion, tubule number and number of tubule with appreciably sized holes. Thresholds are derived from image gradation by an appropriate medical expert.
US08229669B2
A computer-implemented navigation method for implementation during a navigation routine for directing a user is provided. The navigation method comprises generating a navigation route. GPS signals are received and position fixes are derived from the GPS signals. The position fixes are stored and compared with the navigation route. A threshold value is determined based on the comparison of the position fixes with the navigation route. An updated navigation route is generated based on the plurality of position fixes distanced from the navigation route a distance greater than the threshold value and an updated navigation route is not generating based on the plurality of position fixes distanced from the navigation route a distance not greater than the threshold value. A mobile device for performing a navigation procedure is also provided.
US08229662B2
The invention notably relates to a method of detecting obstacles on the ground receiving an obstacle clearance sensor and a zone for extracting map data. The method comprises the following steps: extraction from an obstacle database of a list of pointlike obstacles; extraction from an obstacle database of a list of linear obstacles; determination, according to the obstacle clearance sensor, of the risks associated with the extracted pointlike obstacles and generation of a warning; determination, according to the obstacle clearance sensor, of the risks associated with the extracted linear obstacles, and generation of a warning. In particular, the invention applies to the calculation of the warnings relating to the risks of collision with pointlike or linear obstacles taking into account the path of the aircraft and the altitude of the obstacles.
US08229659B2
A method to generate a clearance request to deviate from a flight plan is provided. The method includes receiving at one or more processors in an airborne vehicle input from at least one automatic flight-plan-relevant source, at least one of the one or more processors independently determining a revised flight route based on the received input, at least one of the one or more processors independently generating a preconfigured clearance request message to deviate from the flight plan for a flight crew user based on the determining. The method further includes providing an audible prompt to the flight crew user for one of approval and rejection of the clearance request to deviate from the flight plan. When an approval of the clearance request to deviate from the flight plan is received from the flight crew user, the preconfigured clearance request message is downlinked.
US08229652B2
A control apparatus for a cylinder injection type internal combustion engine wherein the variable lift mechanism lessens the lift of the intake valve so as to set the time of opening the intake valve in a retarded angle position, in cold starting of the engine. The time of closing the exhaust valve is accordingly set in a retarded angle position.
US08229650B2
An ECU controls to inject a small amount of fuel in an expansion/exhaust stroke under constraint of the minimum fuel injection capability of an injector at the time of warming-up of a catalyst. The ECU controls injection of fuel in expansion/exhaust strokes (expansion/exhaust stroke injection) at the time of warming-up of a catalyst. Fuel injection control is performed so that when temperature of the catalyst becomes higher than a predetermined temperature, fuel injection in the expansion/exhaust strokes is performed for a period of a predetermined ratio in a selected cycle period. The expansion/exhaust stroke injection is not performed in the other period. By effectively utilizing oxygen absorbed on the catalyst, while suppressing slip HC, the activation time of the catalyst can be shortened.
US08229644B2
An adaptive cruise control for motor vehicles, having a sensor system for locating preceding vehicles and a controller which regulates the speed of the vehicle and/or the clearance from a preceding vehicle, based on specified control parameters, and having a traffic jam detection device and a specification device for adjusting the control parameters to a detected traffic jam situation. In response to a detected traffic jam, as differentiated, for instance, from a red traffic light, startup instructions can be suppressed, and, in particular, the setpoint acceleration of the vehicle can be reduced.
US08229639B2
A system and method for stability control of a vehicle. The system and method can receive current vehicle operating data or signals as well as data or a signal from a traction control subsystem. Based on the received current vehicle operating data or signals data or a signal from a traction control subsystem, the system and method define one of a brake-based stability control subsystem and a torque management-based stability control subsystem as the dominant stability control system. Based on the stability control subsystem defined as the dominant stability control system, the system and method provide stability control for the vehicle.
US08229631B2
A method for enhancing productivity for an excavating machine is disclosed. The method includes determining at least one cycle characteristic for an operating cycle of the excavating machine. The method also includes measuring payload accumulated by the machine during a loading phase of an operating cycle of the excavating machine. The method further includes controlling payload accumulated by the machine based on at least one of the at least one determined cycle characteristics.
US08229624B2
Control system for controlling at least one part of a vehicle includes a plurality of sensor systems mounted at different locations on the vehicle, each sensor system providing a measurement related to a state thereof system or a measurement related to a state of the mounting location. A processor is coupled to the sensor systems and diagnoses the state of the vehicle itself and optionally its dynamic motion based on the measurements of the sensor systems. The processor controls each part based at least in part on the diagnosed state of the vehicle.
US08229618B2
The illustrative embodiments provide a method and apparatus for controlling movement of a vehicle. Movement of an operator located at a side of the vehicle is identified with a plurality of sensors located in the vehicle and the vehicle is moved in a path that maintains the operator at the side of the vehicle while the operator is moving.
US08229616B2
In a traveling mode for controlling traveling of a hybrid vehicle to maintain a charge amount of a power storage device of the hybrid vehicle to fall within a predetermined control range, when a malfunction associated with the power storage device takes place, a control center value defining the control range is set higher than a control center value employed in a normal state and set at a value near a management lower limit value of the charge amount. Then, it is permitted to charge/discharge the power storage device. In this way, upon occurrence of a malfunction of a level that does not require immediate interruption of the charging/discharging of the power storage device, a vehicle operation can be continued using the power storage device while protecting the power storage device.
US08229611B2
A navigation ECU records a charge-possible point through charging position record processing and records the history of traveling conditions near the charge-possible point through learning control processing. If a destination point on an optimum route is the charge-possible point, the navigation ECU determines a continuous section where the EV traveling is possible up to the charge-possible point based on the history through SOC management plan preparation processing, and changes over the HV traveling and the EV traveling according to the determination through in-travel processing.
US08229609B2
A marine vessel control apparatus is arranged to start and stop engines that are respectively provided in multiple propulsion devices. The marine vessel control apparatus includes multiple individual start/stop switches arranged to correspond to the respective multiple propulsion devices and arranged to be operated by an operator to individually start and stop the engines in the respective multiple propulsion devices, an all-device start/stop switch arranged to be operated by the operator to collectively start and stop the engines in the multiple propulsion devices, an operating state acquiring unit arranged to acquire operating states of the engines in the respective multiple propulsion devices, and a control unit. The control unit includes multiple input ports corresponding to the respective multiple individual start/stop switches. Each of the input ports is connected with the corresponding individual start/stop switch. All of the input ports are connected commonly with the all-device start/stop switch. The control unit is arranged and programmed to control the start and stop of the engines in the multiple propulsion devices according to an input pattern to the multiple input ports and the operating states acquired by the operating state acquiring unit.
US08229606B2
A system for estimating at least one of position, attitude, and heading of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes at least three gyroscopes configured to output a signal indicative of inertial angular rates around three mutually orthogonal axes of the vehicle and at least three accelerometers configured to output a signal indicative of accelerations along three mutually orthogonal axes of the vehicle. The system further includes a triaxial magnetometer configured to output a signal indicative of a projection of ambient magnetic field on three mutually orthogonal axes of the vehicle. The system also includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of vehicle altitude and a differential pressure sensor configured to output a signal indicative of airspeed of the vehicle. The system further includes a device configured to receive the signals and estimate at least of one of position, attitude, and heading of the vehicle.
US08229605B2
An antenna array for use in an aviation application setting comprises an external covering and at least four radio frequency antennas that are disposed underneath and that are protected by the external covering. A deposit of phosphor material is also disposed beneath this covering. This external covering is at least partially permeable to radio frequency signals and will provide at least a substantial barrier against external moisture and objects that might otherwise harm the antennas. This external covering can be fixed to an exterior surface of an aircraft. The four radio frequency antennas are electrically discrete from one another though also being configured as an integral mechanical structure. The phosphor material, in turn, can serve to facilitate detection of a parameter of interest, such as temperature or airspeed.
US08229604B2
Disclosed is a method and system for managing a convoy of aircraft during taxiing. Taxi management is carried out by exchanging, by a first data transmission unit, information between the aircraft of the convoy concerning aircraft flight parameters of the aircraft within the convoy, and exchanging, between the aircraft of the convoy and at least one control station that manages the convoy collectively, information relating to the collective convoy. The exchange can be carried out by a second data transmission unit, with the ground control station receiving from each aircraft in the convoy information relating to convoy status, centralizing the received information, scheduling the convoy, and transmitting to each aircraft a convoy status table that indicates overall status of the convoy.
US08229602B2
An electrical power distribution system for distributing electrical power from a source. The system includes one or more network circuits electrically connected to the source and one or more load devices electrically connectable to the network circuit. The system also includes one or more controllers for monitoring one or more preselected parameters of the electrical power. Each controller includes means for determining actual values of the preselected parameter, means for comparing the actual value to a preselected threshold value of the preselected parameter to determine a difference, and means for disconnecting the load device if the difference is equal to or exceeds a predetermined difference amount.
US08229598B2
A calculating member carries out Fourier analysis of a vibrational acceleration to calculate a maximum acceleration and frequency thereof. The calculating member then compares the maximum acceleration with a threshold value, and when the acceleration exceeds the threshold value, the calculating member calculates a k-value and phase information, and stores each calculated value. When retrying is selected, the calculating member determines a type of a current chatter vibration from the phase information, determines the existence of a chatter vibration which is different from the determined chatter vibration, and calculates each new phase information according to the determined chatter vibration and an existence of a different chatter vibration which had been generated before generation of the current vibration. The calculating member then calculates a k1-value from new phase information, calculates the optimum rotation speed by using the k1-value, and changes the rotation speed to the optimum rotation speed.
US08229583B2
An apparatus and method of setting received broadcasting sound source data as a functional sound of a broadcast data receiving apparatus. The method includes receiving and decoding broadcasting data; storing sound source data included in the decoded broadcasting data in a storage unit; setting the stored sound source data as a functional sound configured to be output if a function of the broadcast data receiving apparatus is executed; and outputting the functional sound if the function is executed.
US08229579B2
Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object. Configuration-time formulas contained objects are evaluated to constants prior to downloading to the control system.
US08229574B2
A telescoping electrode assembly and method of implantation of a telescoping electrode assembly are provided herein. The electrode assembly may comprise a plurality of telescoping sections that may, for example, be in a retracted configuration during insertion into the patient and then after insertion expanded to their final expanded configuration. These sections may have electrodes disposed therein for use in applying electrical stimulation to the patient in which the electrode is implanted.
US08229572B2
A lead delivery apparatus includes an electrically conductive lead for an implantable medical device, a delivery shaft for delivering the lead to a target site, a fixator and a pulley structure. A flexible member is coupled to the delivery shaft and the lead and engages the pulley structure such that pulling a first portion of the flexible member moves the lead to the target site.
US08229570B2
An implantable medical electrode comprising an electrode substrate having an exterior surface, and a zirconium nitride coating disposed over the exterior surface.
US08229566B2
Methods and devices are provided such that electrical stimulation can be delivered to a patient's skeletal muscles in response to certain respiratory signals, such as when voluntary breathing is detected.
US08229565B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.
US08229554B2
One embodiment includes an apparatus that includes an implantable device housing, a capacitor disposed in the implantable device housing, the capacitor including a dielectric comprising CaCu3Ti4O12 and BaTiO3, the dielectric insulating an anode from a cathode and pulse control electronics disposed in the implantable device housing and connected to the capacitor.
US08229547B2
A method is disclosed for determining and displaying perfusion parameters. In at least one embodiment, the method includes measuring an arterial contrast agent profile; measuring a contrast agent profile in a tissue of an organ; temporally synchronizing measured values of the arterial contrast agent profile and the contrast agent profile by interpolation; fitting a theoretical parameterized contrast agent profile to the measured contrast agent profile in the tissue by minimizing the differences between the theoretical and measured contrast agent profiles over a multiplicity of times in a measurement interval by fitting function parameters; and determining at least one perfusion parameter from the function parameters in the case of minimal deviation between the theoretical and measured contrast agent profiles.
US08229544B2
In one aspect, in general, a method is provided for detecting temperature and protein denaturation of a tissue during thermal therapy. The method includes generating a plurality of MR pulse sequences that include a first group of pulse sequences and a second group of pulse sequences, and receiving a plurality of response signals that include a first and second group of response signals in response to the first and second groups of pulse sequences, respectively. A first information associated with a degree of protein denaturation of the tissue is determined based on the first and second groups of response signals. A second information associated with a temperature of the tissue is determined based on at least some of the plurality of response signals.
US08229542B2
A method for correcting image artifacts during the acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging data includes the following steps. At least one part of the linear, location-dependent and spatially constant interference fields arising at the measurement location is determined in a time interval between an excitation point in time and a MR data acquisition point in time.
US08229538B2
An electrophysiology catheter introduced through the groin and inferior vena cava into the right side of the heart comprises an elongate flexible shaft having a steerable distal section and a prolapsing section located proximally of the distal section. The distal section is inserted into the coronary sinus and a back-steering force is applied to the catheter to anchor the distal section therein, after which the catheter is further advanced to prolapse the prolapsing section against the high right atrium. Electrical pathways in both the coronary sinus and the high right atrium are mapped using respective electrode pairs carried on the distal and prolapsing sections of the catheter.
US08229531B2
There is provided an optical bioinstrumentation device, with which measurement data reflect more correctly the information inside the living body with less noise even the subject moves when the information inside the living body is measured by using the light.In the present invention, the means for fixing the part other than the tips of the optical fibers for irradiation and detection on the fixing member which is to fix the tips of the optical fiber for irradiation and detection on the subject, or, the means for fixing the optical fiber is fixed on the fixing member which is to fix the end of the optical fiber on the subject, or the means for fixing the optical fiber at two or more positions on the subject.
US08229529B2
A device and a method for measuring body fluid-related metrics using spectrophotometry to facilitate therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring body fluid balance. The specific body fluid-related metrics include the absolute volume fraction of water in the extravascular and intravascular tissue compartments, as well as the shifts of water between these two compartments. The absolute volume fraction of water is determined using algorithms where received radiation measured at two or more wavelengths are combined to form either a single ratio, a sum of ratios or ratio of ratios, in which the received radiation in the numerator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the received radiation in the denominator depends primarily on the absorbance of water and the sum of the absorbances of non-herne proteins, lipids and water in tissue. The difference between the fraction of water in the intravascular fluid volume and extravascular fluid volume compartments are also determined.
US08229521B2
A head set device includes an antenna housing, a speaker housing connected to the antenna housing while protruding from one face of the antenna housing, and a hinge device for rotatably combining the speaker housing to the antenna housing. The speaker housing rotates with respect to a rotation axis that extends outwardly from one face of the antenna housing. The antenna housing and the speaker housing are rotatably connected together using a hinge device, thereby allowing the user to selectively wear the head set device on either ear and thus facilitating the use of the head set device. Moreover, by including the sensing means and the signal generating means to sense the position of the speaker housing and generate the holding signal, the operation of the head set device may be prevented even if there is unintentional key manipulation during a user's carrying of the head set device, thereby preventing unnecessary consumption of the storage battery and thus allowing the efficient use of the storage battery having a limited capacity.
US08229520B2
A cover part of an electronic equipment that exposes or closes a portion of the electronic equipment with which an electronic part is connected, including a housing external appearance constituent portion that constitutes a part of an external appearance surface of a housing of the electronic equipment. An inner mount lid portion fixed to the housing external appearance constituent portion and a housing fixing member sandwiched between the housing external appearance constituent portion and the inner mount lid portion are provided, where the housing external appearance constituent portion and the inner mount lid portion are formed of a constituent material different from a constituent material of the housing fixing member.
US08229514B2
The present invention provides a DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) wireless hands-free communication apparatus which includes a DECT host and a DECT earphone, wherein the DECT host is coupled with the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) and configures an earphone receiving recess, which configures with a magnetic device mounted on the DECT host. The DECT earphone wirelessly communicates with the DECT host via the digital enhanced cordless telecommunication technique and the DECT earphone is detachable while it is attached to the earphone receiving recess The DECT earphone configures a magnetic conductive device, wherein the magnetic conductive device magnetically attracts to the magnetic device while the DECT earphone is close to the earphone receiving recess, whereby the DECT earphone electrically connects with the DECT host.
US08229509B2
An apparatus for communicating with a handheld device (e.g., a cellular telephone) is provided herein. A protective shroud is configured to enclose the handheld device and protect it against incidents that commonly cause damage to handheld devices. Integral to the protective shroud is at least one of an input component configured to receive user input and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit signals to and/or receive signals from the handheld device. In one example, where both the input component and the wireless transceiver are integral to the protective shroud, signals related to received user input (e.g., where the shroud serves as a keypad) may be transmitted to the handheld device even if the protective shroud is removed from the handheld device.
US08229501B2
A wall-mounted docking station for a portable computer connects the portable computer to a media entertainment system. The media entertainment system can have multiple zones throughout a room and/or a building, and can play audio, video, images, or other media stored on the portable computer to any zone or a combination of zones. Preferably, the docking station also provides power to the portable computer, and could optionally provide both power and data connectivity over a power line.
US08229497B2
A distributed antenna system comprises a base transceiver station, a plurality of distributed antenna units and a signal routing apparatus. The base transceiver station has a plurality of output ports that generate a plurality of downlink signals having overlapping transmit frequencies and containing different communication content. The different communication content is directed toward each of a plurality of mobile units. The base transceiver station also has at least one uplink receive port that receives an uplink signal. The uplink signal includes communication content received from at least one of the mobile units. The plurality of distributed antenna units have coverage areas that are non-overlapping or only partially overlapping. The signal routing apparatus routes the downlink signals to the plurality of distributed antennas such that each of the plurality of downlink signals are transmitted by one or more of the distributed antennas and each distributed antenna only transmits one of the downlink signals.
US08229496B2
A mobile telephone terminal has a configuration in which it is possible to prevent a wrong operation of the mobile phone terminal due to an unconscious touch with a touch panel during a telephone call without restricting available function during the telephone call.That is, the mobile telephone terminal includes a touch panel unit 104 for inputting information and a telephone call determining means 201 which judges whether the mobile telephone terminal is in a telephone call mode. Furthermore, the mobile phone terminal includes an approach detecting means 202 which outputs a wave and detects receiving of the wave as approaching of an object. Furthermore, the mobile phone terminal includes an input controlling means 203 which carries out a control to make information, which is inputted from the touch panel unit 104, ineffective in the case that the telephone call determining means 201 judges that the mobile phone terminal is in the telephone call mode and the approach detecting means 202 detects approaching of the object.
US08229495B1
A method and apparatus for ranked presentation of user-interface display elements is disclosed. A device will hold data that indicates a priority order for selecting user-interface display elements, such as buttons, labels, etc., to present. When a user-interface skin is loaded onto the device and the skin has a limited number of slots (i.e., segments, spaces, places, etc.) for presenting user-interface display elements, the priority order will be used as a basis to select which elements to present in the available slots. For example, if the skin has only five slots for presentation of user-interface display elements, just the top five elements in the priority list will be presented. Those top five elements can then be presented in any order, such as in priority order, alphabetical order, or randomly.
US08229491B2
A method is provided of adjusting transmission power of pilot signals from a picocell base station for radio communications to a user terminal in radio connection with the picocell base station. The method comprises: the base station sending a signal at a first signal power; the user terminal measuring received signal level and sending an information signal indicating received signal level; and the base station adjusting its pilot signal power dependent upon said received signal level indicated in the information signal.
US08229478B2
The invention relates to a method for updating session initiation information saved in a terminal device (14, 15) of a data communications network (12), and a data communications network arrangement utilizing the method and a mobile terminal device (14, 15, 40) belonging to the data communications network arrangement, in which method either the SIP protocol or a conventional telephone number is used for session initiation.
US08229476B2
A method and apparatus of operating in an idle mode to receive a paging message is provided. The user equipment wakes during a paging listening interval and receives a first part of the paging message during the paging listening interval from a base station. The paging message comprises an extension flag indicating extension of the paging listening interval. The user equipment receives a second part of the paging message during the extended paging listening interval.
US08229469B2
Methods and systems are provided for mapping locations of wireless transmitters for use in gathering market research data. A layout map includes location data representing a plurality of locations within a market research area. Transmitter data representing respective ones of the wireless transmitters is provided and the transmitter data is associated with the location data.
US08229468B1
The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for modeling optimized flow path assignments for signaling and media traffic in a network connected population of telecommunications systems. More specifically, optimum inter- and intra-system flow path assignments can be determined based on, for example, a virtual simulation of the telecommunications system. The optimization criteria may include flow path properties, flow path length, flow path element degradation of voice quality, monetary cost of flow path element usage, and flow path element contribution to overall system availability.
US08229459B2
In a method of enhanced position determination of a user terminal associated with at least one cell in a cellular communications network, providing a predetermined cell identity definition SO1 providing S1 a representation of a barometric pressure measure for the user terminal, said barometric pressure measure corresponding to an altitude of the user terminal, and determining S2 at least one geographical region definition based on the provided predetermined cell identity definition and the provided representation of barometric pressure measure, said at least one geographical region definition corresponding to a horizontal region associated with said predetermined cell identity definition and said representation of said barometric pressure measure.
US08229454B1
The present invention provides for delivering location information to any number of subscribers via their respective location applications, which may run on any type of communication device. The location is derived from state information received from one or more devices with which the user interacts or a system associated therewith. The state information is processed to create the location information, which is provided to the location applications of the subscribers. The system may allow the user to establish a profile, which defines to whom and how location information is disseminated. The profile may specify those who can receive location information, those who cannot receive location information, and those who should always get the location information even if others are restricted by time, date, location, or other criteria specified by the user. Further, certain subscribers may receive a preset location, regardless of the received state information.
US08229450B2
A method for controlling quality of service (QoS) in a mobile communication system includes configuring a service model to operate radio resources, based on an application to provide a requested service from a subscriber terminal; forming a QoS profile using the service model; allocating the radio resources for each requested services in accordance with the QoS; providing information on the allocated radio resources to the application; monitoring a condition of the allocated radio resource; and controlling the QoS by reflecting information obtained from the monitored condition.
US08229449B2
A method and system for allocating subcarrier frequency resources for a relay enhanced cellular communication system is provided. The relay enhanced cellular communication system includes a base station, one or more mobile stations and one or more relay stations. Subcarrier allocation involves assigning a set of subcarriers by allocating subcarriers to one or more access communication links between mobile stations and their serving stations, to meet minimum data rate requirements of the access links, and allocating subcarriers to one or more relay communication links between the base station and relay stations to accommodate the data rates achieved on the corresponding access links. The serving stations may include one or more relay stations and the base station. Link balancing, multi-user diversity and minimum data rate constraint are jointly considered to achieve an optimal solution.
US08229445B2
An apparatus and method for operating a Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) scheme in a broadband wireless communication system is provided. The method includes broadcasting a reference value for determining an FFR region, receiving region information determined by using the reference value from at least one Mobile Station (MS), and determining a communication band of at least one MS by using the region information received from the at least one MS.
US08229443B2
A method and system is disclosed herein for scheduling in a multi-cell environment. In one embodiment, the system comprises a plurality of user terminals; a plurality of base stations to communicate with the plurality of user terminals, wherein the plurality of antennas from the base stations are grouped into coordination patterns that specify which antennas operate together as a cluster to coordinate transmissions with a subset of the plurality of user terminals, and further wherein defined pairs of the antenna sets and associated user sets vary over transmission resources based on coordination pattern changes such that different sets of antennas in the plurality of antennas are grouped together on different resources to coordinate transmissions to different subsets of users; and at least one controller to execute at least one scheduling algorithm to schedule transmissions with user terminals by specifying which user terminal to schedule for service by which sets of antennas and on which transmission resource and with what transmission rate.
US08229441B2
The signals from adjacent transmitters reinforce one another. As a result of this over-the-air combining, signal quality is improved in the network and especially at or near cell boundaries. The present invention provides a graduated single frequency network (GSFN) wherein transmitters in cells throughout a geographic area cooperate to broadcast data to user terminals throughout the geographic area, and adjacent transmitters transmit signals that substantially reinforce one another. When transmitting the data, transmitters in certain adjacent cells throughout the geographic area may employ slightly different transmit parameters to provide slightly different transmission signals. The transmission signals used to transmit the data may be varied in a graduated fashion throughout the geographic area, wherein even when there is a difference in the transmission signals of transmitters in adjacent cells, the transmission signals reinforce one another despite being different.
US08229434B2
A method of operating a communications network (20) comprising a wireless terminal (30) which communicates with a network node (22) comprises using the wireless terminal (30) to perform measurements relative to plural cells of the network, and then using the wireless terminal (30) or the network node (22) to make a determination regarding an extent of connection of the wireless terminal to a best cell of the network. The method also comprises using the wireless terminal (30) or the network node (22) to select a mobility related parameter for the wireless terminal (30) in accordance with the determination.
US08229433B2
Embodiments are described in connection with seamless inter-frequency handoff in a wireless network. Provided is a method that includes reporting to an access network sector pilot strength information for at least one frequency member in a message specified in an active set management protocol. Information regarding at least another frequency member is received in a message specified in the active set management protocol. The method further includes ascertaining whether to handoff from one frequency member to another frequency member and can further include seamlessly handing off to the other frequency member.
US08229415B1
A system for automatically generating a recommendation to migrate a wireless communication service account from a first wireless communication protocol to a second wireless communication protocol is provided. The system comprises a computer system, a data store comprising call metrics for a first plurality of base transceiver stations, wherein the base transceiver stations promote wireless communication according to the second wireless communication protocol, and an application stored in a memory of the computer system. The application identifies base transceiver stations associated with the first protocol most frequently used by the wireless account, identifies base transceiver stations associated with the second protocol that are proximate to the most frequently used base transceiver stations, and based on comparing call metrics between the two sets of base transceiver stations transmits a suggestion to migrate the wireless communication service account from the first wireless communication protocol to the second wireless communication protocol.
US08229410B2
Methods are provided for effectively accessing and managing open applications on a mobile device. In response to an End key key-press event, an open application is terminated and another open application is promptly maximized. In an embodiment, another key may be pressed to access to an Applications Menu which indicates open applications. Open applications can be selected on the Applications Menu and selectively maximized or terminated. In an embodiment a key may be pressed to access an Open-Applications Menu which lists open applications. Open applications can be selected on the Open-Applications Menu and selectively maximized or terminated.
US08229409B2
The system and method of the present invention may allow a calling party to make a called party to be aware of its intention to establish a call session with it in one or more ways. According to the present invention a calling party may be automatically offered alternatives to voice session or may be allowed to change the silent mode of the called party to a non-silent mode or may be allowed to address a query to a third party via the called party or may be automatically offered to re-establish a connection with a called party if it was disconnected by the called party in error.
US08229404B2
A system and method for gating calls. A list of one or more callers that may contact a user at any time is received. A selection to activate call gating is received. A determination is made whether an identifier associated with a caller is on the list in response receiving a call. The call is connected to a communications device in response to determining the identifier is on the list.
US08229392B2
A system and method of providing information stored in a memory is provided. The system comprises an information repository for storing information and an access module for providing access to the information in response to a predetermined operation performed on a man-machine interface. The method includes the steps of storing information in a memory and providing access to the information in dependence upon at least one predetermined operation.
US08229390B2
Disclosed is a method of receiving a warning message in wireless communication system. A terminal (UE) monitors a physical downlink control channel to receive a specific Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) that indicates an existence of the warning message, and the terminal receives the warning message through a control logical channel that maps with a downlink shared channel if the warning message is existed.
US08229389B2
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus for obtaining end-user location information for emergency services within a multimedia network is presented. The multimedia network may include a network implementing the Session Initiation Protocol, H.323, etc. In one embodiment, a Location Application Server (LAS) in the multimedia network and an interface between the LAS and a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) is defined.
US08229385B2
This disclosure describes a dual inductor circuit, which may be particularly useful in a mixer of a wireless communication device to allow the mixer to operate for two different frequency bands. The dual inductor circuit comprises an inductor-within-inductor design in which a small inductor is disposed within a large inductor. The two inductors may share a ground terminal, but are otherwise physically separated and independent from one another. Terminals of the inner inductor, for example, are not tapped from the outer inductor, which can reduce parasitic effects and electromagnetic interference relative to tapped inductor designs. The independence of the inductors also allows the different inductors to define different resonance frequencies, which is desirable.
US08229378B2
A receiver includes an antenna array that generates a plurality of received signals from at least a first remote transmitter and a second remote transmitter, the antenna array having a beam pattern that is controllable based on at least one control signal. A plurality of receiver sections process the plurality of received signals to generate a plurality of down-converted signals. A receiver processing module, generates the at least one control signal to control the beam pattern to a first pattern during a first time period for reception from the first remote transmitter, generates a first reception estimate based on the plurality of down-converted signals during the first time period, generates the at least one control signal to control the beam pattern to a second pattern during a second time period for reception from the second remote transmitter, generates a second reception estimate based on the plurality of down-converted signals during the second time period, and generates inbound data based on the first reception estimate and the second reception estimate.
US08229374B2
An apparatus and method for controlling Transmit (Tx) power when a portable terminal performs human body communication with a counterpart portable device are provided. The apparatus includes a voltage manager for determining whether the Tx power needs to be changed based on an output voltage that is based on a current that varies according to a distance between an electrode of a portable terminal and an electrode of a counterpart portable terminal, and changes the Tx power according to a result of the determination.
US08229372B2
A communication device having an RF power amplifier stage with a Cartesian feedback loop is provided. The loop has forward paths whose outputs are combined to form an output signal that is fed back to a single feedback path. Each forward path has a common path with a filter that filters the overall loop response and a unique split path. The main and auxiliary split paths have a power amplifier and carry signals respectively of lower and higher frequencies. The auxiliary amplifier is faster than the main amplifier. Different phases of the carrier signal are used during upconversion such that the overall phase response through the split paths is equal. Instability recovery problems introduced by higher-order loop filters are mitigated by baseband loop filters with switchable order. Upon detecting instability, the loop filter order is reduced and is subsequently increased after eliminating the unstable operation.
US08229369B2
Aspects relate to mitigating interference in a communication network that does not employ a centralized scheduler. A transmission sent on a subset of resources is evaluated to determine a number of communication pairs that have selected that subset of resources on which to transmit. If there are a large number of communication pairs transmitting on that subset, the transmission is ignored by a receiving device. The number of degrees of freedom that contain energy on the subset is evaluated to determine if an expected number of degrees of freedom that should have energy is met or exceeded. If the expected threshold number is met or exceed, the transmission is decoded by the receiving device, else the transmission is not decoded.
US08229366B2
A mobile station with a tunable duplexer is disclosed. The mobile station includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The mobile station includes a receive path that has a receive band reject filter in electronic communication with an antenna at a common node. The receive path also includes a receive band pass filter in electronic communication with the receive band reject filter. The mobile station includes a transmit path that has a transmit band reject filter in electronic communication with the antenna at the common node. The transmit path also includes a transmit band pass filter in electronic communication with the transmit band reject filter.
US08229362B2
A technique for decreasing noise and interference in an uplink of a wireless communication system includes detecting, at a serving base station, noise and interference levels above a threshold. In response to the detecting, a noise and interference measurement frame is scheduled that includes respective allocated portions for respective active subscriber stations and respective unallocated portions that are adjacent to the respective allocated portions and are not allocated to one of the respective active subscriber stations. The respective allocated portions and the respective unallocated portions are configured in a selected pattern in the noise and interference measurement frame. The respective noise and interference levels are determined, at the serving base station, in the respective unallocated portions of the noise and interference measurement frame. One or more rogue subscriber stations, included in the respective active subscriber stations, are then identified based on the respective noise and interference levels associated with the respective active subscriber stations. When it is ambiguous as to whether a subscriber station is a rogue subscriber station, additional noise and interference measurement frames may be scheduled to resolve the ambiguity.
US08229353B2
Provided is a handset comprising a transceiver transmitting and receiving data to and from a base, a data error detector determining whether or not there is an error in the data received by the transceiver, and a reception duration controller changing a specific reception duration. If the data error detector determines that there is an error, then the reception duration controller extends a reception duration of the transceiver so as to receive the data newly sent from the base and to reduce unnecessary calling repetitions between the base and the handset and reduce wasted waiting time.
US08229351B2
In a cellular wide-area radio communications system, comprising a plurality of base stations; a plurality of relay stations; and a plurality of mobile stations; wherein each of the relay stations is associated with at least one of the base stations, each of the mobile stations is associated with at least one of the base stations or one of the relay stations, wireless data transmissions between mobile stations and base stations take place either as single-hop data transmissions between the mobile stations and their associated base stations, or as multi-hop data transmissions between the mobile stations and their associated relay stations and a data transmission between the relay stations and base stations associated with the relay stations, and wherein an average number of multi-hop data transmissions in the radio communications system equals at least an average number of single-hop data transmissions.
US08229349B2
Disclosed are apparatus and method for facilitating a purchase in conjunction with media content information. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a transmission of media content, information regarding the content, and information for facilitating a purchase of at least one of a copy of the content, a good, and/or a service. The content may include broadcast media content and entertainment media content. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to process the information regarding the content and the information for facilitating a purchase of the copy of the content, the good, and/or the service. The apparatus also includes a display device for displaying information.
US08229346B2
A method of providing multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS) over a communication system that comprises a shared network and a proprietary network comprises allocating a first portion of logic elements of a broadcast multicast service centre (BM-SC) to support MBMS content delivery over the shared network and allocating a second portion of logic elements of the BM-SC to support MBMS content delivery over the proprietary network.
US08229340B2
A control apparatus configured to control an image forming system, in forming a transparent image so as to cover color images fixed on a sheet, applies a transparent toner on an area on which an image can be formed and which is other than an area that a user desires to increase the glossiness thereof.
US08229337B2
An image forming apparatus including: an image carrier that carries an image; a transfer roller having a transfer material-gripping member that grips a transfer material, the transfer roller transferring the image carried by the image carrier to the transfer material; a transfer material-transporting belt that transports the transfer material onto which the image has been transferred while subjecting the transfer material to suction; a fixing section that fixes the transferred image on the transported transfer material; and a transfer material-guiding section having a guiding surface that guides the transported transfer material to the fixing section, the guiding surface being disposed in a direction in which the transfer material is sucked onto the transfer material-transporting belt relative to a transfer material-transporting surface of the transfer material-transporting belt.
US08229323B2
A scanning optical apparatus includes: an incident optical system which is disposed in an optical path between a light source unit and a deflection unit, and includes an optical element for making a light flux emitted from the light source unit enter a deflection surface of the deflection unit with an oblique angle in a sub scanning section; and a positional regulation member for holding the optical element having an x reference surface for performing positional regulation of the optical element in an optical axis direction and a z reference surface for performing positional regulation of the optical element in a sub scanning direction. The optical element is held by a casing so that the x reference surface and the z reference surface contact with the positional regulation member of the casing. The principal ray of the light flux outgoing from the optical element satisfies a conditional equation (1).
US08229301B2
An optical transceiver (or optical transmitter or optical receiver) that includes a memory and a processor, which receives and executes custom microcode from a host computing system (hereinafter referred to simply as a “host”). A user identifies desired optical transceiver operational features, each of which may be implemented using specific microcode. The memory receives custom microcode that aggregates all the specific microcode of the identified operational features from the host. The processor may later execute the custom microcode and cause the transceiver to perform the operational features.
US08229299B2
The present invention discloses a method for detecting dispersion, overcoming disadvantages of complex configuration and insensitivity to a tiny dispersion of the method and device for detecting dispersion in the prior art. The inventive method includes: obtaining a signal within a predetermined bandwidth range from an optical signal received; obtaining an operated value of power via an operation on the signal within the predetermined bandwidth range; and obtaining amount of system dispersion according to a corresponding relation between the operated value of power and the amount of system dispersion. A device for detecting dispersion is disclosed, including a photoelectric filter operational unit and a processing unit, where an output of the photoelectric filter operational unit is connected to an input of the processing unit. The device for detecting dispersion of the present invention is applicable to an adaptive dispersion compensation system. An optical signal transmission system is further disclosed.
US08229295B2
A portable electronic device includes a case, a camera lens module, and a support. The case has a lens hole. The camera lens is received in the case and corresponding to the lens hole. The lens hole has a first connection portion. The first connection portion is engaged with a second connection portion of an external device accessory. Therefore, the external device accessory can be configured on the case and work with the camera lens module. The support is connected to the case, and positioned on the periphery of the lens hole. The support is configured for supporting the external device accessory on the case.
US08229293B2
An apparatus suitably detects a recording trigger even in a low-brightness or low-light-intensity environment, and acquires, from a recorded image, a high-quality image from which a person or the like can be easily recognized. When a recording trigger is to be detected, this apparatus disables an infrared reduction filter, so a recording trigger can be suitably detected even in an environment in which the brightness or light intensity is low. When an image is to be recorded, this apparatus records a color image by enabling the infrared reduction filter.
US08229292B2
An auto focus (AF) adjusting apparatus and a camera system of a lens replaceable camera are disclosed. AF is performed by correcting a location error of a focus lens due to a difference between a frequency band for performing AF detection and a frequency band for determining an improved location of an image surface of an imaging lens, and/or a target region for detecting a focal point.
US08229288B2
A stream data reproducing system comprising: an input buffer configured to accumulate stream data input from a stream source; a decode circuit configured to decode the stream data accumulated in the input buffer by predetermined processing unit to generate decode data; an output buffer configured to output the decode data after accumulation thereof; a transfer memory cell configured to store the stream data accumulated in the input buffer and the decode data generated in the decode core circuit; and a data transfer control circuit configured to control transfer of the stream data by the processing unit from the input buffer to the transfer memory cell, and transfer of the decode data by the processing unit from the transfer memory cell to the output buffer.
US08229284B2
An interface is realized that can prevent video signals from being copied easily and which uses a luminance/color difference signal transmission scheme with an excellent harmony with a television circuit. In a video transmission using a digital interface, colorimetry information for defining the conversion from the luminance/color difference signal into a primary color signal and video aspect ratio information are transmitted along with the luminance/color difference type video signal. This allows reproduction of video with high quality and high resolution and also realizes a copyright protection which allows only the users authorized by key information to use the content of the video. With this transmission scheme, it is possible to provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus and an interface which highly harmonize with a rationalized television-based circuit.
US08229273B2
A recording-and-reproducing apparatus for reproducibly controlling data recorded on a recording medium includes: a device configured to acquire control information required for reproducing the data when the data is recorded; a device configured to control operations during the period from the start to the end of recording data on the recording medium. The apparatus further includes a device configured to determine whether a recorded file of the data exceeds a predetermined limit of a storage capacity of a file system in the recoding medium and sequentially generate a subsequent recorded file upon exceeding the limit. Moreover, the apparatus includes a device configured to generate a single recording-and-reproducing unit during the period on the recording medium indicated by the control device based on a plurality of recorded files upon exceeding the limit; and a device configured to update the control information by recording the single recording-and-reproducing unit on the control information.
US08229270B2
An audio and video synchronization compensation method and apparatus for smoothly compensating audio and video synchronization in an audio and video system such as a DTV and a DVD player are provided. The apparatus includes a signal decoder unit which extracts time information for reproducing a video and/or audio signal and reference operation time information of a reproduction system from an input compressed stream; a signal synchronization control unit which determines the reproduction state of a signal by comparing reproduction time information of the stream with reference time information of the system, measures the difference between the reproduction time information and the reference time information in the determined signal reproduction state, and adjusts a transition speed used to approach from a signal reproduction interval to a signal synchronization interval according to a reproduction speed value of a pattern corresponding to the difference.
US08229257B2
A light-emitting device for emitting light having a desired color point, comprising at least one solid-state light source (1), at least one light-converting element (5), a light guiding arrangement (2) and a switch control unit (4), wherein the solid-state light source (1) is provided for emitting primary radiation (20), the light guiding arrangement (2) arranged between the solid-state light source (1) and the light-converting element (5) has at least one electro-optical switch (31) for controllably splitting the primary radiation (20) into a first portion (21) and a second portion (22), the switch control unit (4) is provided for controlling the electro-optical switch or switches (31) for variably adjusting the ratio between the first (21) and the second portion (22) of the primary radiation (20), and the light-converting element (5) is provided for the partial or complete absorption of at least a first portion (21) of the primary radiation (20) and for the re-emission of secondary radiation.
US08229255B2
An embodiment relates to an image sensor comprising (a) a optical pipe comprising a core and a cladding, and (b) a pair of photosensitive elements comprising a central photosensitive element and a peripheral photosensitive element, wherein the central photosensitive element is operably coupled to the core and the peripheral photosensitive element is operably coupled to the cladding, and methods of fabricating and using the same. The image sensor could further comprise a lens structure or an optical coupler or an optical coupler over the optical pipe, wherein the lens structure or the optical coupler or the optical coupler is operably coupled to the optical pipe.
US08229247B1
A method is operable to receive an image, where the image includes an input scene, which in turn includes one or more objects. The method associates a non-regular distribution of pins with the input scene, wherein each pin is associated with a respective portion of the input scene, wherein said associating transforms the image into a first deformation domain. The method can receive input specifying symmetry between the one or more objects in the input scene. The method may receive input to deform the input scene, and using that input, map the input scene from the first deformation domain into a second deformation domain, generating a corresponding output scene, while preserving the symmetry. The method detects structural and/or local similarities between the first and the second domain, and transforms the output scene from the second deformation domain into an output image while preserving both the structural and the local similarities.
US08229246B2
A 3D metal artifacts correction technique corrects the streaking artifacts generated by titanium implants or other similar objects. A cone-beam computed tomography system is utilized to provide 3D images. A priori information (such as the shape information and the CT value) of high density sub-objects is acquired and used for later artifacts correction. An optimization process with iterations is applied to minimize the error and result in accurate reconstruction images of the object.
US08229245B2
Video processing method and means for enhancing a video stream, by computing transform coefficients using a spatio-temporal transform comprising a spatial subband transform and a causal time wavelet transform performing filterings with multiscale causal wavelets, modifying the transform coefficients with a nonlinear processing, and computing a processed video stream from the modified transform coefficients using a spatio-temporal reconstruction transform comprising an inverse subband transform and a short delay inverse time wavelet transform, where the short delay inverse time wavelet transform is implemented with wavelet filters modified with window functions to control the processing delay of the entire video processing method.
US08229242B2
A point correspondence procedure is applied to a set of images of a specular object to produce sparse reflection correspondences. The set of images is subject to rotation while acquired by a camera. That is, either the camera, the environment or the object rotates. Either a linear system AΘ=0 is solved or a related second order cone program (SOCP) is solved, where Θ is a vector of local surface parameters. Gradients of the surface are obtained from the local quadric surface parameters, and the gradients are integrated to obtain normals, wherein the normals define a shape of the surface.
US08229210B2
A mobile device comprising a camera and color detection software stored in memory of the mobile device, wherein the color detection application analyzes and displays component colors in a captured image and compares component colors in two such captured images. The color detection application displays component colors in a specific format such as red, green and blue and displays percentage of these colors in each of the compared images. The color detection also provides textual and audio feedbacks of the extent of match between colors of the two images. The two captured images that are to be compared are displayed in split windows. When the captured images are multicolored, the color detection application provides an arrow on these images to identify a specific location and compares the component colors at these locations. Also, an independent electronic device analyzes and displays component colors in a captured image and compares component colors in two such captured images.
US08229209B2
An image-based pattern recognizer and a method and apparatus for making such a pattern recognizer are disclosed. By employing positional coding, the meaning of any feature present in an image can be defined implicitly in space. The pattern recognizer can be a neural network including a plurality of stages of observers. The observers are configured to cooperate to identify the presence of features in the input image and to recognize a pattern in the input image based on the features. Each of the observers includes a plurality of neurons. The input image includes a plurality of units, and each of the observers is configured to generate a separate output set that includes zero or more coordinates of such units.
US08229205B2
A pattern matching method for use in manufacturing a semiconductor memory device increases a pattern matching rate between a GDS image and an SEM image. The pattern matching method includes extracting a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image and a graphic data system (GDS) image to perform a pattern matching; performing a two-dimensional Fourier transform (FFT) for the extracted GDS image and analyzing a low spatial frequency; deciding whether or not a pattern is a repeated pattern or non-repeated pattern by using the analyzed low spatial frequency; and limiting an X/Y range for a pattern matching when the decision result is for the repeated pattern, and then performing the pattern matching between the SEM image and the GDS image.
US08229199B2
An image reconstruction method applicable to a number of different imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), x-ray computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is disclosed. A sparsifying image is reconstructed from a series of acquired undersampled data to provide a priori knowledge of a subject being imaged. An iterative reconstruction process is further employed to iteratively determine a correction image for a given image frame that, when subtracted from the sparsifying image, produces a quality image for the image frame.
US08229195B2
Detected lung nodules are presented in a chest radiographic sub-image. A curve is matched to pixels in the sub-image and confidence values for individual pixels is determined. A confidence image is generated consisting of the confidence values at the position of the respective pixel. Separated regions of pixels within the confidence image are identified which have a confidence value greater than a threshold confidence value. A filtered confidence image is generated consisting of the separated regions of the confidence image which are larger than a threshold area. A histogram of values characteristic for the matching of the curve is determined, wherein the filtered confidence image is used as a mask, such that only values are considered for the histogram which correspond to the separated regions of the filtered confidence image. A statistical measure of the histogram is determined and the lung nodules are verified based on the statistical measure.
US08229182B2
A method is provided whereby confidence in a validation parameter set is achieved by comparison with a known sample of a parameter in terms of the expected template comparison score as well as mean values and deviation from that score. Thus, with respect to user individual identification, biometric parameters such as fingerprint or handwriting or voice recognition can be utilised to compare the stored template for that individual with the putative biometric response in order to determine deviation from the mean. Previous systems provided a stored template and then ranging either side to simply give a pass/fail response. By adaptation of the ranging quotient for a particular individual, a percentage confidence in the pass/fail response can be achieved. For example an individual -may have a wider range of deviation than another individual and therefore close repetition of the biometric data may be indicative of a lower percentage confidence than with an individual with a narrower deviation. Furthermore, through a learning process, the ranging quotient may he varied as a users actual response varies with age or otherwise.
US08229181B2
An image processing device includes a face region extracting unit that extracts a face region of a person included in an image to be corrected. A correction region specifying unit specifies a region including the extracted face region as a reduction region and specifies a region excluding the reduction region as an enlargement region. A correction execution unit generates a correction image in which an image in the reduction region is reduced based on a predetermined reduction ratio and an image in the enlargement region is enlarged according to a ratio of the reduction region to the enlargement region.
US08229175B2
An exemplary system for calculating the number of conductive particles dispersed in an anisotropic conductive film includes an image capturing device and an image processing device. The image capturing device captures a color image of the anisotropic conductive film. The image processing device processes the color image to generate a first binary image. The second binary image includes a plurality of first objects. The first objects occupy a first area in the first binary image. The image processing device processes the first binary image to generate a second binary image having different size with respect to the first binary image by a predetermined value. The second binary image includes a plurality of second objects. The second objects occupy a second area in the second binary image. The image processing device calculates a number of the conductive particles according to the first area, the second area, and the predetermined value.
US08229172B2
A two picture matching curve information is able to be used to determine precise object distance or relative object distance in a scene. Acquiring two images with different blur information in addition to the curve information enables a device to determine distance information of objects in a scene. The distance information is able to be used in image processing including generating a depth map which is then able to be used in many imaging applications.
US08229170B2
The present invention aims at providing a method for detecting a signal structure from a moving vehicle. The method for detecting signal structure includes capturing an image from a camera mounted on the moving vehicle. The method further includes restricting a search space by predefining candidate regions in the image, extracting a set of features of the image within each candidate region and detecting the signal structure accordingly.
US08229167B2
The present invention discloses an optical tracking device and a positioning method thereof. The optical tracking device comprises several light-emitting units, several image tracking units, an image processing unit, an analysis unit, and a calculation unit. First, the light-emitting units are correspondingly disposed on a carrier in geometric distribution and provide light sources. Secondly, the image tracking units track the plurality of light sources and capture images. The images are subjected to image processing by the image processing unit to obtain light source images corresponding to the light sources from each image. Then the analysis unit analyzes the light source images to obtain positions and colors corresponding to the light-emitting units. Lastly, the calculation unit establishes three-dimensional coordinates corresponding to the light-emitting units based on the positions and colors and calculates the position of the carrier based on the three-dimensional coordinates.
US08229166B2
A method of image-tracking by using an image capturing device. The method comprises: performing an image-capture of a scene by using an image capturing device; and tracking movement of the image capturing device by analyzing a set of images by using an image processing algorithm.
US08229162B2
A graphic recognition device, method, and recognition program recognize graphics without being influenced by an image shadow area. Image input unit acquires the image of the outside environment of a vehicle using a vehicle mounted camera. A light source location information acquiring unit calculates location of a light source such as the sun using the acquired image. User vehicle shape acquiring unit and other vehicle shape acquiring unit generate shape information for the vehicles indicating the location of points forming vehicle contours. Shadow area calculating unit calculates, on the basis of both vehicles' shape information, the object shape information and the light source location information, the location coordinates of the shadow area, and converts the location coordinates into two-dimensional coordinates to the shadow/non-shadow area emphasis flag recognizing unit, which recognizes the flag in the image by judging the presence/absence of the recognition object in each shadow and non-shadow area specified.
US08229161B2
The invention is generally related to the systems and methods through which household appliances can provide intuitive and enhanced interactivity through visual inputs. In particular, the disclosure presents methods relating to control of a household appliance, such as a microwave or a refrigerator, via recognition of visual indicia, such as graphics, text, and the like, using a visual sensor such as a camera.
US08229159B2
A multimedia coding and decoding system and method is presented that uses the specific prediction mode to signal supplemental information, e.g., metadata, while considering and providing trade offs between coding performance and metadata capacity. The prediction mode can be encoded according to a mode table that relates mode to bits and by considering coding impact. Start and stop codes can be used to signal the message, while various techniques of how to properly design the mode to bits tables are presented.
US08229158B2
The present invention provides an approach for determining a state of a shopping receptacle. Specifically, under the present approach, an image capture device (e.g., camera) is positioned at the checkout station and/or on the shopping receptacle. The device will capture at least one image of the shopping receptacle during the checkout process and/or when the customer or checkout clerk indicates that the transaction is ready for payment (e.g., all items have been scanned or rung through). Using such image(s), a model for an empty receptacle and a knowledgebase of non-shopping items that may remain in the shopping receptacle, it is determined whether the receptacle is empty. If not, an alarm or other notification will be activated and the events can be logged.
US08229144B2
Methods and systems for wireless communication are disclosed and may include controlling a loading and/or a charging of a battery source in each earpiece of the wireless stereo headset. The loading control may include switching between the battery sources powering the headset. A remaining power level may be monitored for each of the battery sources. Both earpieces in the headset may be powered utilizing one or both of the battery sources. One of the earpieces in the headset may be powered utilizing one of the battery sources. A total usage time may be stored for each of the battery sources. The loading and charging of the battery sources may be controlled by equalizing the total usage time for each of the battery sources. The earpieces in the headset may be coupled via a tether line, or may be coupled wirelessly.
US08229136B2
The present invention provides for methods and systems for digitally processing audio signals by adjusting the gain of a signal a first time, using a digital processing device located between a radio head unit and a speaker. The methods and systems may filter the adjusted signal with a first low shelf filter, compress the filtered signal with a first compressor, process the signal with a graphic equalizer, compress the processed signal with a second compressor and adjust the gain of the compressed signal a second time. The methods and systems may also filter the signal received from the first low shelf filter with a first high shelf filter prior to compressing the filtered signal with the first compressor. The signal may be filtered with a second low shelf filter prior to processing the signal with the graphic equalizer. Some embodiments filter the signal with a second high shelf filter after the signal is filtered with the second low shelf filter.
US08229131B2
A public address system installed in a building or other region being monitored can communicate with a regional fire detection system. Responsive to information received from the fire detection system as to developing dangerous conditions, a control unit for the public address system can adaptively create one or more evacuation routes for a region associated with a developing condition. One or more loud speakers in the region can be used to communicate a preferred evacuation route to individuals in the region. The route can be dynamically altered as the condition varies over time.
US08229130B2
A conversation shielding system comprises sensors that detect the location of a confidential conversation and the presence and location of a potential eavesdropper, audio output devices that produce masking sounds to shield the conversation from the eavesdropper, and a controller that automatically controls the operation of the output devices in response to data from the sensors. An optional portable controller may manually engage the system. A method for shielding conversation comprises identifying a conversation to be shielded, detecting a potential eavesdropper, automatically determining masking sound types, locations and volume that will shield the conversation, directing emission of masking sounds from at least one audio output device in order to shield the conversation, including adjusting the masking sound type, location, and volume in response to movement of the conversation or the eavesdropper, and continuing to shield the conversation until it ends or the eavesdropper is no longer detected.
US08229129B2
A method, medium, and apparatus for extracting a target sound from mixed sound. The method includes receiving a mixed signal through a microphone array, generating a first signal whose directivity is emphasized toward a target sound source and a second signal whose directivity toward the target sound source is suppressed based on the mixed signal, and extracting a target sound signal from the first signal by masking an interference sound signal, which is contained in the first signal, based on a ratio of the first signal to the second signal. Therefore, a target sound signal can be clearly separated from a mixed sound signal which contains a plurality of sound signals and is input to a microphone array.
US08229128B2
An expandable device (1100) can be configured to occlude an ear canal to isolate an ear canal volume from an ambient environment. The expandable device includes a support structure (1102). A membrane having a proximal end and a distal end is attached at each end around the support structure (1102) forming an expandable element (1104). The expandable element (1104) has an expanded state and an un-expanded state. The expandable element is adjacent to the support structure (1102) in the un-expanded state. The expandable element (1104) in the un-expanded state minimizes an insert profile of the expandable device (1102).
US08229126B2
Systems (200) and methods (100) for noise error amplitude reduction. The methods involve configuring a first microphone system (202) and a second microphone system (302) so that far field sound originating in a far field environment relative to the first and second microphone systems produces a difference in sound signal amplitude at the first and second microphone systems. The difference has a known range of values. The methods involve (128) dynamically identifying the far field sound based on the difference. The methods also involve (130, 132, 134) automatically reducing substantially to zero a gain applied to the far field sound responsive to the identifying step.
US08229121B2
Provided are a method of tracing a device key in a user key management system using a hierarchical hash chain broadcast encryption scheme (HBES) algorithm, a user key management system for executing the method of tracing a device key, and a computer program for executing the method of tracing a device key. The method of tracing a device key of an illegal decoder in a user key management system for broadcast encryption includes: tracing a device key using a binary search; and revoking the traced device key. The technology according to the present invention can be applied to prevent exposure of the device keys to hacking. The present invention provides a method of tracing which can be applied to an HBES algorithm structure.
US08229119B2
A system and method are disclosed for securely transmitting and receiving a signal. A nonlinear keying modulator is used in the transmitter to encrypt the signal using a nonlinear keying modulation technique. A nonlinear keying demodulator is used in the receiver to decrypt the signal.
US08229118B2
Systems and methods of securing wireless communications between a network and a subscriber station include inserting a marker denoting an encryption type within a random value used for authentication, calculating a first session key and a first response value as a function of the random value, then calculating a second session key and a second response value as a function of the random value, first session key and first response value. The two levels of session keys and response values may be used by upgraded subscriber stations and network access points to prevent attackers from intercepting authentication triplets.
US08229114B2
The present invention discloses a method and device of generating asymmetrical key pair (public key and private key) based on user identity. Key Management Center (KMC) generates public/private key calculating base, and publish the public key calculating base. Based on identity provided by a user, a private key is calculated and provided to the user. Any user can calculate other user's public key based on other user's identity and the published public key calculating base. Thus, when obtaining the public key of the communicating party, no third party CA certificate is needed, and no maintenance of mass parameters associated with users are needed.
US08229108B2
One or more methods and systems of generating pseudo-random numbers that are used as encryption keys in cryptographic applications are presented. In one embodiment, a method of generating pseudo-random numbers is performed by sampling output sequences of a linear feedback shift register with a specified periodicity. In one embodiment, the generating of pseudo-random numbers using linear feedback shift registers is accomplished by periodically switching between iterative outputs generated by multiple linear feedback shift registers. In one embodiment, a method of encrypting a pseudo-random number generated by a linear feedback shift register comprises using a nonlinear operator. In one embodiment, a method of further encrypting a pseudo-random number is accomplished by using a hashing function whose initial value varies over time by way of a function operating on one or more variables. In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating pseudo-random numbers using linear feedback shift registers comprises a digital hardware.
US08229106B2
A method for improving the intelligibility of an incoming telephone signal, including boosting loudness of at least one band of poorly heard frequencies of the signal within at least one band of intensities of the signal, the band lying below a predetermined intensity level at which telephone standard conformance testing is performed, thereby to generate a differentially boosted telephone signal. Alternatively or in addition, intelligibility of sibilants in a narrow band telephone signal is enhanced, by doubling the sampling rate of the narrow band signal by interpolation, thereby to provide a narrow band interpolated signal, generating a harmonic extrapolation signal by harmonically extrapolating from the narrow band interpolated signal thereby to estimate the missing portions of the telephone signal, the harmonic extrapolation comprising a sequence of pulses located at peaks of the interpolated signal, generating a missing energy estimator measure estimating energy missing at high frequency bands of the telephone signal, continuously modulating the amplitude of the pulses in said sequence of pulses based on said missing energy estimator measure, thereby to generate a modulated signal, passing the modulated signal through a shaping filter thereby to obtain a shaped signal, and summing the shaped signal with the interpolated signal.
US08229096B1
A method, a system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for optimizing on-premise conferencing are provided. The method comprises receiving at least one call from at least one caller, identifying at least one on-premise call from at least one caller on the premise, collecting the at least one on-premise call from the at least one call, and connecting the at least one on-premise call to a conference call bridge via a single connection.
US08229084B2
A method of operating a communication device, the method comprising sending a park data signal for placing a call to park and receiving a park reminder message. A method of operating a communication server operable to maintain communication between at least two devices, the method comprising placing a call to park and sending a park reminder message. A telecommunication server comprising a processor configured to place a telephone call to park and send a park message. A telecommunication device comprising a processor configured to send a park data signal for placing a call to park and receive a park reminder message.
US08229083B2
The invention enhances mobile device software such that upon receipt of a specially formatted SMS message, the software can automatically dial a telephone number that was specified in the message after a configurable timed interval. A further enhancement comprises improvements to the integration between collaboration software (such as Lotus Notes) and mobile device software to enable employees to utilize this invention for connecting to conference calls. An additional enhancement comprises interfacing with a travel reservation system to detect when the user may want such an enhanced SMS message.
US08229077B2
Telephone test sets include a telephone test set housing and at least one lead that extends away from the telephone test set housing. The lead is configured to be coupled to a telephone line. A light source, a data port and/or a display are integrated with the telephone test set housing. The light source is configured to project light away from the telephone test set to illuminate an area adjacent the telephone test set. The data port is configured to receive a data jack operatively associated with a communications device. The display is configured to display identification information associated with the telephone line. Related methods and systems are also provided.
US08229070B2
An adaptive imaging method of monitoring intrafraction target motion during radiation therapy is provided that includes using a simultaneous Mega-Voltage (MV) imaging process and Kilo-Voltage (KV) imaging process to determine an initial 3D target position. 2D target position is monitored using the MV imaging process during a radiation therapy treatment delivery, and is in combination with an online-updated characterization of target motion that are disposed to estimate if the target has moved beyond a 3D threshold distance. The simultaneous MV imaging and KV imaging processes are for accurately determining a new 3D target position for intrafraction motion compensation and for further 2D imaging by the MV imaging process, where another simultaneous MV and KV imaging process is initiated when the target has potentially moved beyond the threshold distance as measured by the MV imaging process. The intrafraction target motion monitoring is achieved at the cost of ultralow patient imaging dose.
US08229066B2
An X-ray image diagnosis apparatus includes: an imaging unit that includes an X-ray generation unit and an X-ray detection unit, which are supported so as to be opposed to each other and rotatable about the body axis of a subject placed; a control unit that performs imaging for obtaining images within a predetermined angular range required for image reconstruction, the control unit rotating the imaging unit within a first angular range to perform a first imaging operation and then rotating the imaging unit within a second angular range to perform a second imaging operation such that a part of the first angular range and a part of the second angular range are overlapped with each other; and an image data processing unit that performs image reconstruction processing after compensating a displacement occurring between the images obtained by the first and second imaging operations.
US08229063B2
When a reception unit in an X-ray image reception system receives an image and additional information for the image from an X-ray image transmission system, the received additional information is sent to a resend setting determination unit. The resend setting determination unit determines a resend setting based on the received additional information and information acquired from a database and transmits the result to a reception completion determination unit. A packet loss determination unit determines packet loss in data received from the reception unit and transmits the result to the reception completion determination unit. The reception determination completion unit sends the results to the resent setting determination unit and the packet loss determination unit to the resend request unit. The resend request unit sends a resend request to the X-ray image transmission system based on the information from the reception unit and the result determined by the reception completion determination unit.
US08229062B2
A system and method to compensate for the proximity effects in the imaging of patterns in a photolithography process. A light exposure of a photoresist layer is effectuated in predetermined patterns through an exposure mask having light-transmissive openings in correspondence to the predetermined patterns. The exposure mask has areas densely populated with the light-transmissive openings and areas sparsely populated with the light-transmissive openings. Light is attenuated through the densely populated light-transmissive openings by a different amount than through the sparsely populated light-transmissive openings.
US08229056B2
A counter/timer circuit and method of generating timed output signals using the counter/timer circuit, uses multiple counters that are configurable to operate as one or more counters. The counters are controlled by control signals from a control logic circuitry of the counter/timer circuit, where at least some of the control signals are dependent on event signals generated by an event generation module of the counter/timer circuit. The generated event signals are based on at least one of: an input signal, an output signal, and a counter match, qualified by a state value associated with the counters.
US08229050B2
In a method of enabling model order selection for joint channel synchronization and noise covariance estimation of at least one received signal in a wireless communication network, generating S0 a spatially and temporally stacked signal model by stacking successive samples of temporally adjacent received signal vectors and corresponding training vectors, computing S1 a noise variance matrix for each hypothesized synchronization position, channel length and stacking order, based on the stacked training symbols: determining S2 a best synchronization position for the received signal, based on the stacked training vectors, by jointly determining the best synchronization position for the received signal and estimating a channel length and a stacking order for said signal model based on the stacked training vectors.
US08229041B2
Direct detection of wireless interferers in a communication device for multiple modulation types. One or more radios implemented within a communication device is/are operative to receive and process wireless communications. A wireless communication signal is processed to extract symbols there from. Various symbols groups are processed in accordance with correlation processing to identify potential interferers (e.g., other communication devices using common portions of frequency spectra). Alternatively, matched filter processing (e.g., using a Barker matched filter in some embodiments) operates on the various symbol groups to identify some potential interferers. Various combinations of correlation processing and matched filter processing may be employed in other instances (e.g., using any of a desired means of comparison, combining, etc.) in considering interferers identified in accordance with each of these two means. Also, re-identification and re-characterization of possible interferers may be performed subsequently to remove or re-admit frequency spectra for use in communications.
US08229038B2
A transceiver apparatus, a receiver and a power saving method thereof are provided. The receiver includes an analog-to-digital converter, an equalizer, a slicer, a delay unit, a decoder, a select unit and a control unit. The analog-to-digital converter transforms a received signal into a digital signal. The equalizer adjusts the digital signal to generate an equalized signal. The slicer receives and slices the equalized signal and generates a sliced signal. The delay unit delays the sliced signal. The decoder determines whether to decode the equalized signal or not according the control signal. The select unit selects one of the output of the delayed sliced signal and the output of the decoder to be an output signal according to a second control signal. The control unit determines whether to enable the control signal and the second control signal according to the state of the sliced signal and the output signal.
US08229035B2
Systems for recovering communicated information in a communication system are disclosed and may include at least one digitizer for digitizing an analog received signal comprising the communicated information, thereby creating a digital received signal. The system may include at least one filter for bandwidth-limiting at least a portion of the digital received signal. At least one feed forward equalizer may be used for equalizing at least a portion of the bandwidth-limited signal to create an equalized signal. At least one converter for creating a data signal according to at least the equalized signal. At least one soft decision circuit for creating a soft decision signal according to the data signal. The soft decision circuit may cancel at least a portion of the equalized signal.
US08229033B2
A DSP based SERDES performs compensation operations to support high speed de-serialization. A receiver section of the DSP based SERDES includes one or more ADCs and DSPs. The ADC operates to sample (modulated) analog serial data and to produce digitized serial data (digital representation of the modulated analog serial data). The DSP communicatively couples to the ADC and receives the digitized serial data. Based upon the known characteristics of the digitized serial data and the digitized serial data itself, the DSP determines compensation operations to be performed upon the serial data to compensate for inadequacies of the receiver and/or channel response. These compensation operations may be (1) performed on the analog serial data before digitization by the ADC; (2) applied to the ADC to modify the operation of the ADC; and/or (3) performed on the digitized serial data by the DSP or another device.
US08229005B2
In one embodiment, the method includes obtaining quantization information of a first block, and determining a filtering coefficient based on values obtained by using the quantization information. A filtered pixel value included in a second block is obtained based on the filtering coefficient. The second block is adjacent to the first block.
US08228995B2
An image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program are provided. The image processing apparatus of processing an image includes: means for acquiring a display format operable to acquire a display format which displays an image on means for displaying an image; means for acquiring a shot image signal operable to acquire a shot image signal that is an image signal from means for shooting an object; and means for converting a signal operable to convert the shot image signal in a first signal format into an image signal in a second signal format that is a signal format associated with a display format acquired at the means for acquiring a display format, based on correspondence information which associates a signal format for the image signal with a display format.
US08228992B2
Methods and systems for power-aware motion estimation video processing are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include estimating motion for video data by block matching reduced resolution blocks of video data to generate an initial motion vector. The preliminary motion vector and motion for a previous frame may be used to generate a final motion vector for the block for the present frame using an iterative algorithm. The motion estimation may be dynamically enabled and/or disabled based on content of the video data, available power to a mobile terminal, and/or a user input. The iterations used to generate the final motion vector may be based on content of the video data, available power to a mobile terminal, and/or a user input.
US08228983B2
The invention is used in video coding. Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing an order-16 integer transform from an order-8 transform are provided. The order-16 transform method involves expanding an order-8 transform by generating an order-16 integer matrix and a scaling matrix.
US08228978B2
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to obtain a block type of the second block and the third block. The second block is adjacent to the first block horizontally, and the third block is adjacent to the first block vertically. The decoder is configured to determine whether the second and third blocks have non-zero transform coefficient information if the block type of the second and third blocks, respectively, are not an intra-coded block. A horizontal filter strength value and vertical filter strength values are determined by the decoder based on the above steps. The blocking phenomenon in the first block is removed by the decoder according to the horizontal filter strength value firstly, then vertical filter strength value secondly.
US08228977B2
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a decoder configured to determine a reference pixel group including a pixel to be filtered. The reference pixel group includes at least three successive pixels. Two of the three successive pixels are in a first block and one of the three successive pixels is in a second block. The second block is adjacent to the first block. The decoder is configured to apply weight factors to at least each of the three successive reference pixels. The weight factors are different according to pixel position. A filtered value is obtained by the decoder by summing at least the three weighted successive pixels.
US08228972B2
A first device transmits data over a first branch of a communications link toward a second device. That second device loops the received data pattern back over a second branch of the communications link. A bit error rate of the looped back data pattern is determined and a pre-emphasis applied to the transmitted data pattern is adjusted in response thereto. The first device further perturbs the data pattern communications signal so as to increase the bit error rate. The pre-emphasis is adjusted so as to reduce the determined bit error rate in the looped back data pattern in the presence of the perturbation. The steps for perturbing the signal and adjusting the pre-emphasis are iteratively performed, with the perturbation of the signal increasing with each iteration and adjustment of the pre-emphasis being refined with each iteration. The signal is perturbing by injecting modulation jitter into the signal (increasing each iteration) and adjusting amplitude of the signal (decreasing each iteration).
US08228969B2
Disclosed herein is a pseudo-echo cancellation processing apparatus including: a correlator for computing a complex mutual-correlation value, that is, the value of a mutual correlation between the real part of a complex baseband signal of a received input-signal sequence and a reference-signal sequence included in the input-signal sequence as well as the value of a mutual correlation between the imaginary part of the complex baseband signal and the reference-signal sequence; and a processing section configured to carry out processes of: pre-storing complex vectors each representing pseudo-echo components; detecting a complex mutual-correlation value having a peak of powers of the complex mutual-correlation values; delaying the detected complex mutual-correlation value by a delay time corresponding to successive symbols; carrying out a complex multiplication operation; and adding a complex mutual-correlation value to an original complex mutual-correlation value.
US08228962B2
The invention relates to an integrated driver circuit suitable for driving a light emitter with a signal current I(time) based on a received signal said circuit comprising a differential pair of transistors having a first transistor and a second transistor each respectively forming part of a first branch and a second branch, said first branch comprises a node suitable for connecting to said light emitter and/or said first branch comprises said light emitter, wherein said second branch comprise at least one charge storage device. This charge storage device may be arranged to collect current otherwise wasted in the process of driving the light emitter. This current may be utilized to drive circuitry thereby reduce current consumption.
US08228960B2
The present invention provides a laser device having a high wavelength conversion efficiency and a wide wavelength width, and is suitable as a display light source. The laser device includes a fundamental wave generating section including a laser diode which has a plurality of luminous points and a bragg reflection structure, and generating a plurality of fundamental waves which has at least a pair of wavelengths different from each other, and a nonlinear optical element having a periodic polarization inversion structure, and generating harmonics corresponding to the plurality of fundamental waves, respectively.
US08228958B1
A ring network element and the ring network architectures it enables. According to one embodiment of the invention, a single network element includes a full TDM cross-connect and a multiple ring unit. The full TDM cross-connect is coupled to very line card slot in the single network element with the same amount of bandwidth connection. In addition, the full TDM cross-connect is programmable on an STS-1 basis. The multiple ring unit allows for the simultaneous support of multiple TDM rings.
US08228946B2
A communication network is described. The network includes communication media and a plurality of network nodes coupled by the communication media. Each of the plurality of network nodes includes a first communication channel and a second communication channel. The first communication channel includes a first physical layer transceiver (PHY device) and the second communication channel includes a second PHY device. The plurality of network nodes are coupled in a dual ring-type topology.
US08228944B1
A communication system for linking a communication network to a customer facility is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The communication system includes the communication network, a network-side Unbundled Network Element (UNE) interface connected to the communication network, a first wireless transceiver adapted to communicate with at least a second, customer facility wireless transceiver at the customer facility, a customer-side UNE interface connected to the first wireless transceiver, and a plurality of UNEs extending between the network-side UNE interface and the customer-side UNE interface. A communication session between the communication network and the customer facility can be established by selecting and bonding one or more UNEs from the plurality of UNEs to form one or more bonded UNEs and exchanging communications between the communication network and the first wireless transceiver over the one or more bonded UNEs.
US08228939B1
A radio communication system has a random access channel for the transmission of data (214) from a secondary station to a primary station. Such a channel is intended for use by secondary stations having packets of data (214) to transmit to a primary station while not actually engaged in a call. The primary station transmits a random access channel availability (AV) message (302) once per frame to inform secondary stations about the resources currently available. Hence a secondary station can select a channel known to be free. If no channels are available the secondary station can avoid a wasted access attempt.
US08228935B2
Systems, methodologies, and devices are described that enable communication devices, such as mobile devices, to efficiently connect and communicate with public data networks (PDNs) even if overlapping Internet protocol address spaces exist in the PDNs. The subject innovation can employ virtual home agents (v-HAs) that can respectively serve PDNs. To facilitate connection of a mobile device to a desired PDN, a message, including an identifier relating to the desired PDN, can be transmitted to a v-HA and it can be discovered whether that v-HA serves the desired PDN; if so, the v-HA transmits the message to a “home” home agent (h-HA) associated with the desired PDN; and if not, the v-HA can transmit a switch message indicating the correct v-HA to which the message should be sent. Concatenation of communication tunnels associated with the correct v-HA and h-HA facilitate efficient communication associated with the mobile device and desired PDN.
US08228922B2
A method, device, component and computer program product are described for controlling radios/modems in a multiradio device so as not to interfere with one another. A first set of timeslots for a first modem of the device is mapped to a master clock. A second set of timeslots for a second modem of the device is mapped to the master clock. Specific transmit and receive schedules for the modems are assembled into scheduling tables and potential instances of interference are found. Transmission, reception, or both for one of the modems (the first modem) is inhibited during an authorized timeslot of the first set that overlaps with an authorized timeslot of the second set. The authorized timeslots are determined from the transmit and receive schedules.
US08228898B2
A distributed call recording method and system. A recording agent performs recording of a phone call, preparing of the recorded phone call for being subsequently archived, and transferring of the prepared phone call to a central archiving server through a secure connection. The recording agent is a software application runs on a computer system, which may be a generic personal computer or a phone for Voice/video Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) communication. The secure connection utilizes a connection-oriented transport protocol and a security application, providing Quality of Service and data integrity, respectively. A remote management server may be used for monitoring, configuring, and controlling operations of a recording agent through a management interface.
US08228892B2
An aggregation device performs a synchronous processing so that a synchronous delivery may be made from a plurality of base stations through a broadcasting channel. A BSN (104) gives, when it sends broadcasting data for the synchronous delivery to an AN (102) and an AN (103), a period number and a sequence number are added to the broadcasting data so that the data to be sent from the AN (102) and the AN (103 can be synchronously delivered.
US08228889B2
A communication apparatus which generates a single physical frame including a plurality of MAC frames, and which transmits the physical frame. The physical frame has variable-length bitmap information which includes bits corresponding to the plurality of MAC frames, respectively, and length information of the bitmap information. The communication apparatus can include a transmission scheme selecting device configured to select a transmission scheme of the physical frame to be transmitted as a response to the polling frame from a plurality of candidates in such a manner as to adapt to a channel estimate result estimated by the channel estimating device. The transmission scheme in this arrangement includes at least one of a modulation scheme and a coding ratio.
US08228887B2
In an embodiment, a wireless communication system (100, FIG. 1) includes one or more nodes (102-108) and one or more user equipments (UE) (110). A node may apply (502, FIG. 5) a cell-specific spreading code to a cell identifier, which indicates an identity of a cell (113, FIG. 1) serviced by the node. The node may insert (504, FIG. 5), into a frame (200, FIG. 2), at least one synchronization channel symbol, which corresponds to the spread cell identifier, and the node may transmit (506, FIG. 5) the frame over an air interface. A UE may receive (702, FIG. 7) a frame from the air interface. The UE may despread (708) the spread cell identifier, and acquire (712) a cell identifier corresponding to a particular cell.
US08228884B2
Disclosed is radar wave detection and DFS (dynamic frequency selection) with high efficiency while considering, for instance, the power consumption of each communication station within an autonomous distributed network. At least one communication station runs in an interference avoidance operation mode, operates a radar wave detection section, and fulfills the obligation to issue instructions for radar wave detection and DFS for an approximately predetermined period of time. After the lapse of the approximately predetermined period of time, another communication station switches to the interference avoidance operation mode and assumes the obligation to issue instructions for radar wave detection and DFS. In other words, two or more communication stations sequentially run in the interference avoidance operation mode in a time sharing manner. Therefore, the average power consumption of the communication stations decreases.
US08228882B2
A method is provided for determining a transmission rate of a control response frame for acknowledging data receipt in a wireless local area network. The method includes obtaining transmission parameters of a transmitting station from a data transmission frame received from the transmitting station, searching a receiving station for transmission parameters which correspond to the transmission parameters of the transmitting station, determining the transmission rate of the control response frame according to transmission parameters of the receiving station if the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission parameters of the transmitting station are found in the receiving station, and determining a maximum rate among a set of basic transmission rates to be the transmission rate of the control response frame if the transmission parameters corresponding to the transmission parameters of the transmitting station are not found in the receiving station.
US08228880B2
A wireless LAN terminal includes a wired LAN interface, a wireless LAN interface and a bridge unit. The bridge unit detects that a terminal apparatus connected with the wired LAN interface moves to a position under different wireless LAN equipment and learns a MAC address of the terminal apparatus which moves.
US08228866B2
Immediately before transmitting a packet signal, a packet transmission base station (BS1) increases a target ISR of UL DPCH (S12), increases the TPC transmission power transmitted by the DPCH (S13), increases a power balancing reference power, and increases a DL DPCH transmission power (S14). In a mobile station (MS3), during packet reception, only a packet transmission base station (1) controls the UL DPCH transmission power (S15). This improves the reception quality at the base station (1) of HS-DPCCH including ACK/NACK and reduces the error ratio of the ACK/NACK signal.
US08228861B1
Methods and systems are provided for efficient handover of a media session between heterogeneous Internet Protocol (IP) networks. A mobile device with Internet access can operate a software program to communicate with a corresponding node. The corresponding node may access the Internet through a firewall which may include Network Address Translation (NAT)-routing functionality. The mobile device establishes a media session with a corresponding node via the transmission of a first media stream and receipt of a second media stream, and a media-control channel can optionally be implemented. The mobile device can acquire Internet access through a second IP address, and packets routed between the second IP address and the Internet may traverse a firewall. The mobile device can evaluate a set of network parameters at the second IP address from a stored Local Area Network (LAN) profile. A software routine can (i) evaluate that handover of the media session from the first IP address to the second IP address is preferred and (ii) select an efficient handover procedure according to handover procedure rules.
US08228859B2
The present invention is intended to protect an industrial wireless communication method based on self-adaptive channel hopping within timeslot, which belongs to industrial wireless communication technology field. Aiming to solving existing problem that wireless devices can not correspondingly self-adaptive channel hopping according to environment changing, a method for making the two communication sides self-generate and execute channel switch when the preferred channel was interfered. The sender will monitor whether the channel is idle within SWTW before sending data through mechanisms such as CCA or non-persistent CSMA. If the channel is still busy till the SWTW times out, the sender will give up sending data and implement channel switching control command by considering this communications channel as interfered. If no packets were received till the RWTW time-outs, the receiver will thinks the communication channel was interfered and automatically implement channel switching control commands. Thus, the receiver will change its backup channel into communication channel. So far, the sender and receiver all independently hop to the backup channel for new communication process after a channel switching cycle. Different time synchronization algorithm will be used in accordance with whether channel switch is carried out or not. The present invention can fully enhance the channel utilization and communication success rate, improve the reliability and real-time of data communication, reduce additional network load by means of reduced retransmission, and perfectly satisfy the requirement of industrial wireless application.
US08228856B2
The present invention discloses a method for transmitting control and scheduling information. The method comprises an eNodeB transmitting control and scheduling information unable to be beamformed in a DwPTS. The control and scheduling information unable to be beamformed is switched from the downlink service slot to the DwPTS and then transmitted, so that the efficiency of time and frequency transmission is improved, the design complexity of the transmitter is reduced, the capacity of the radio access system may be improved and the design of the receiver may be simplified. The present invention also discloses a NodeB.
US08228849B2
A method and apparatus of the present invention support operation of a device, such as a WLAN device in a plurality of frequency bands. The WLAN selects a frequency band of operation by determining a quality indicator. The quality indicator for the selected frequency range considers a channel power and interference power for the selected frequency range. The WLAN further selects a communication protocol. The inventive WLAN devices includes a first baseband processor interface, a first radio for receiving the digital data and for transmitting RF signals, a second baseband processor interface and a second radio for receiving the digital data and for transmitting RF signals in a first frequency band and for receiving RF signals in the first frequency band and for producing corresponding digital data to the second baseband processor interface.
US08228843B2
A network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising promoting an optimization of a communications route associated with a mobile node (MN) and a correspondent node (CN) using Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) packets is disclosed. Also disclosed is a network comprising a mobility access gateway (MAG) in communication with a MN, and a CN in communication with the MAG and that desires to communicate with the MN, wherein a communications route between the MN and the CN is optimized using IPv4 signaling. Included is a method comprising promoting an optimization of a communications route between a MN and a CN using IPv4 signaling. Standalone CNs and CNs under a MAG embodiments are supported.
US08228835B2
A wireless communication system includes an intermediate node, a first node and a second node. There is described a method for implementing MIMO based network coding, comprising the first node transmitting first data to the intermediate node, and the second node transmitting second data to the intermediate node. The intermediate node receives the transmissions from the first node and second node, and performs network coding on the first data and second data using a predefined network coding scheme to produce network coded information. The intermediate node transmits the network coded information to the first node and second node using multi-user MIMO; and; each first or second node receives the MIMO transmissions from the intermediate node and applies network decoding procedures to recover the first data and second data. A method for scheduling MIMO-based network coded transmissions is also described.
US08228834B2
A relay for use in a communications network, the relay being arranged receive data from and transmit data to at least one user equipment, wherein the relay includes a processor arranged to process received configuration data from the user equipment and to transmit data to the user equipment in dependence of the processed ranging data.
US08228833B2
A method and an apparatus for transmitting additional information on digital broadcasting to an IPTV by using a home gateway are provided. The additional information on a digital broadcast program is received through an IP based home network, and a DVBSTP packet is created by using the received additional information, and the packet is transmitted to the home network. Accordingly, a user can immediately obtain various pieces of information on a current broadcast program or a next broadcast program, and thus scheduled recording can be accurately carried out by using information on a broadcast time of the broadcast program.
US08228831B2
Network element (400, 500), method and computer program for communication in a wireless communication network comprising: receiving at least one measured parameter value indicative of the channel quality on a radio channel at the processing unit (420, 520) of the network element (400, 500), calculating a deviation from a nominal parameter value indicative of the expected quality of the radio channel in the processing unit (420, 520), comparing the deviation from the nominal parameter value with at least a lower threshold value indicative of the lower threshold for the deviation from the nominal parameter value and/or an upper threshold value indicative of the upper threshold of deviation from the nominal parameter value and altering the gating scheme for the power control channel in the processing unit (420, 520) and using a control unit (450, 540) in the network element (400, 500) to signal the change of the gating scheme on control channel via the transceiver (410, 510).
US08228830B2
Provided is a method for maintaining a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection between a mobile device and a server over a wireless network in a manner that conserves the power supply of the mobile device and is suitable for connections that employ server-initiated traffic. After a successful login to a VPN server, a VPN client establishes a Transport Control Protocol (TCP) connection and a UDP connection with the server. After a power timeout, the server calculates the elapsed time between the current transmission and the last tunnel traffic. If the elapsed time exceeds a power timeout value, the VPN server transmits a simple control message to the client via the TCP channel. The client then reestablishes the UDP connection to the client and the server resumes transmission on the reestablished UDP channel.
US08228829B2
A method of discontinuous reception (DRX) in a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU) includes the WTRU receiving DRX setting information over a radio resource control (RRC) signal, and the WTRU receiving DRX activation information over medium access control (MAC) signal.
US08228816B2
A method of detecting a link balance of coverage of a down link and an up link in a WCDMA system is disclosed. The method includes setting a minimum receiving signal code power (RSCP) by using system information received from a base station, setting a maximum terminal Tx power for transmitting radio waves to the base station from a communication terminal according to the minimum RSCP, setting a reference value of a link balance detection quotient for detecting whether the up link and down link coverage has a defect by calculating the minimum RSCP and the maximum terminal Tx power, measuring a RSCP and a terminal Tx power from the communication terminal, and detecting the balance of the down link and up link coverage by comparing the reference value of the link balance detection quotient with a value calculated according to the measured RSCP and terminal Tx power.
US08228814B2
A deep packet inspection (DPI) allocator for managing bandwidth in a communication channel, the DPI allocator comprising: a DPI application for inspecting data packets propagating to a destination via the channel that enter the allocator; and at least one service application for processing data packets that enter the allocator.
US08228810B2
A Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication method and system, the MIMO communication system including: a first channel quality information (CQI) receiving unit to receive first CQI from a user terminal, the first CQI associated with a beamforming vector selected by the user terminal; and a second CQI generating unit to generate second CQI by correcting the first CQI based on a transmission rank associated with a number of data streams to be transmitted.
US08228805B2
Systems for detecting Nagling on a TCP network connection are disclosed. Embodiments may generally include a system with a Nagle detection threshold determiner for determining a Nagle detection threshold based on the network connection. The system may also generally include a Nagle detection module in communication with the Nagle detection threshold determiner for observing a small segment at a second time following an acknowledgement indicative of a Nagling condition at a first time, wherein the Nagle detection module also may detect a Nagling condition if the difference between the second time and the first time is less than or equal to the Nagle detection threshold. The system may be a receiver computer or a network computer. The system may also generate and transmit a notification of the Nagling condition, increment a Nagle monitor counter, or save an indication of the Nagling condition in a log.
US08228803B1
Method and apparatus for determining at least one critical traffic matrix from a plurality of traffic matrices, where each of the plurality of traffic matrices is organized into at least one of a plurality of clusters, for a network is described. In one embodiment, a merging cost is calculated for each possible pair of clusters within a plurality of clusters. A pair of traffic matrices that is characterized by having the least merging cost is then merged. The calculating and the merging steps are subsequently repeated until a predefined number of clusters remains, wherein the remaining clusters are used to determine at least one critical traffic matrix.
US08228785B2
Methods and apparatus for a next-in-line protecting device to periodically broadcasting its existence in a communication system. A next-in-line protecting device periodically transmits the next-in-line codeword to inform a primary protecting device and a plurality of secondary devices that the next-in-line device still exists in a communication system. The NPD transmits the NPD codeword intelligently in order to reduce the probability of collision with the RTS codewords transmitted by the other SPDs.
US08228776B2
The apparatus comprising a pickup for reading data from or writing data to an optical storage medium, wherein the pickup comprises a laser providing a laser beam, an objective lens for focusing the laser beam onto the optical storage medium, a first detector and a beam splitter arranged between the laser and the objective lens for guiding light reflected from the optical storage medium onto the first detector. A selecting means, arranged in front of the beam splitter, with regard to the reflected light from the optical storage medium, is provided for guiding reflected light passing through an outer section of the objective lens onto a second detector. The light guided onto the first detector is utilized for providing a tracking error signal and the light guided onto the second detector is utilized for providing a data signal.
US08228775B2
Holographic recording medium having a track pitch smaller than a distance between adjacent holograms
The present invention relates to a holographic recording medium adapted to store additional information for the recorded holograms, and to a holographic pickup for a holographic storage system for use with the holographic recording medium. According to the invention, the holographic recording medium has a holographic layer for storing holograms and a servo layer for positioning a light beam for reading and/or recording of a hologram relative to the holographic recording medium, wherein the servo layer is recordable or rewritable. A holographic pickup for use with such a holographic recording medium includes a light source for recording additional data in the servo layer of the holographic recording medium.
US08228772B2
A recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed that includes a spindle motor unit including a spindle on which a flexible recording disk is placed, a stabilizer plate disposed so as to face the recording disk, a torque detection unit configured to detect a drive torque applied to the spindle motor unit, an adjustment unit configured to adjust a gap between the recording disk and the stabilizer plate, and a determination unit configured to determine an optimal gap to be set to the gap based on the drive torque detected by the torque detection unit, in which the adjustment unit sets the optimum gap determined by the determination unit to the gap.
US08228768B2
When record or reproduction quality of an optical disc is deteriorated, an enhancement in the performance is implemented by slowing down record or reproduction speed of the optical disc. However, there still exists a problem of how to select and determine a timing with which the speed is to be modified. In the present invention, the modification of the speed is performed with a seek processing selected and used as its trigger, and depending on various conditions at that time. Simultaneously, information recording area of the optical disc is separated into a plurality of zones. Then, when an optical pickup passes though a zone switching portion therebetween, the seek processing is inserted, thereby being used as the trigger for the speed modification.
US08228767B2
An information recording medium 1 at least comprises a substrate 13 having a microscopic pattern 20, which is constituted by a shape of continuous substance of approximately parallel grooves formed with a groove section G and a land section L alternately, a recording layer 12 formed on the microscopic pattern 20 and a light transmission layer 11 formed on the recording layer. The microscopic pattern 20 is formed so as to satisfy a relation of P<λ
US08228766B2
A method and an apparatus for controlling data access rate of an optical disc player are disclosed. The method includes steps of (1) utilizing a micro-controller to decide whether an action of an instruction of a predetermined data processing is an extraction operation or a play operation; (2) driving the spindle motor and a pick-up head to retrieve data from an optical disc at a first data access rate by the micro-controller while the action of the instruction of the predetermined data processing is an extraction operation; and (3) driving the spindle speed and the pick-up head to retrieve data from the optical disc at a second data access rate which is less than the first data access rate by the micro-controller while the action of the instruction of the predetermined data processing is a play operation.
US08228764B2
A recording/reproducing apparatus includes an optical source and a near-field light generating unit. The near-field light generating unit includes two conductors facing to each other at a predetermined distance and generating near-field light between the two conductors by irradiation of light from the optical source. These two conductors are arranged so that a direction along which the two conductors face to each other is substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction of a recording mark region. Here, the recording mark region is prepared from a predetermined recording material and having shape anisotropy when information is recorded on a recording medium on which the recording mark is independently formed.
US08228763B2
A device is disclosed for measuring a plurality of time intervals.
US08228759B2
The transmission system combines a self-contained, wireless seismic acquisition unit and a wireless, line of site, communications unit to form a plurality of individual short-range transmission networks and also a mid-range, line of sight transmission network. Each seismic unit has a power source, a short-range transmitter/receiver disposed within a casing and a geophone disposed within the casing. Each wireless communications unit is formed of an elongated support structure on which is mounted an independent power source, mid-range radio transmitter/receiver; and a short-range transmitter/receiver configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range transmitter/receiver of the acquisition unit. Preferably, when deployed, the acquisition unit is buried under the surface of the ground, while the wireless communications unit is positioned in the near vicinity of the buried unit so as to vertically protrude above the ground. The acquisition unit and the wireless communications unit communicate by short-range transmissions, while the wireless communications unit communicates with other seismic acquisition systems using mid-range radio transmission. When multiple seismic acquisition unit/wireless communications units are deployed in an array, the system can pass collected seismic and quality control data in relay fashion back to a control station and/or pass timing and control signals out to the array.
US08228751B2
The present invention provides a method of reducing current of a memory in a self-refreshing mode and a related memory. The memory includes a word line driver and a controller, and the word line driver includes a transistor. The transistor has a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to a word line, and a second terminal. The method includes: after the memory enters the self-refreshing mode: controlling a voltage difference between the control terminal and the second terminal to correspond to a first value during a self-refreshing operation period; and controlling a voltage difference between the control terminal and the second terminal to correspond to a second value smaller than the first value during a non self-refreshing operation period.
US08228750B2
A comparator determines the fidelity of a response vector received from a memory under test. The comparator includes a first logic gate configured to output a first value that is the logical OR of a first proper subset of bits of the response vector. A second logic gate is configured to output a second value that is the logical NAND of the proper subset of bits. A first multiplexer is configured to select between the first and second values based on the value of a first bit of a check vector corresponding to the response vector.
US08228746B2
A semiconductor memory apparatus is provided. The semiconductor memory apparatus includes: an address pad; an address pad buffer section configured to selectively receive a signal of the address pad; a data input buffer section configured to selectively receive the signal of the address pad; and a signal control section configured to selectively provide a path of the signal of the address pad to the address buffer section and the data input buffer section.
US08228739B2
A circuit and corresponding method for providing a reference voltage are presented. The circuit includes a current source having a magnitude with positive temperature correlation connected to a node, and a diode element connected between the node and ground, where the reference voltage is provided from the node. The circuit also includes a variable resistance connected to receive an input indicative of the circuit temperature and through which the diode element is connected to the node. The value of the variable resistance is adjusted based upon the circuit temperature input. The circuit is useful for application as a peripheral circuitry, such as on a flash or other non-volatile memory and other circuits requiring an on-chip reference voltage source.
US08228732B2
The disclosure relates to an electrically erasable and programmable memory, comprising memory cells arranged in bit lines and word lines transverse to bit lines, wherein each memory cell may be in a programmed or erased state, the memory comprising memory cell selection circuits configured to memorize and read data bits in two memory cells belonging to different bit lines and different word lines, and to avoid a memory cell from being written or read by mistake in another state than a default state after a gate oxide breakdown of a transistor of the memory, and a read circuit to determine a data bit to be read in the memory according to the states of the two memory cells memorizing the data bit.
US08228730B2
Memory cell structures and methods are described herein. One or more memory cells include a transistor having a charge storage node, a dielectric material positioned between the charge storage node and a channel region of the transistor, the channel region positioned between a source region and a drain region, and a first electrode of a diode coupled to the charge storage node.
US08228729B2
Techniques for the reading and writing of data in multi-state non-volatile memories are described. Data is written into the memory in a binary format, read into the data registers on the memory, and “folded” within the registers, and then written back into the memory in a multi-state format. In the folding operation, binary data from a single word line is folded into a multi-state format and, when rewritten in multi-state form, is written into a only a portion of another word line. A corresponding reading technique, where the data is “unfolded” is also described. A register structure allowing such a “folding” operation is also presented. One set of embodiments include a local internal data bus that allows data to between the registers of different read/write stacks, where the internal bus can used in the internal data folding process.
US08228727B2
A method for programming a multi-level cell and a memory apparatus are described, wherein each cell has two storage sites. The method includes making the first storage site have a first Vt level and the second storage site have a second Vt level. The first Vt level is selected from M Vt levels. When the first Vt level is the i-th level among the M Vt levels, the second Vt level is selected from ni Vt levels, wherein at least one ni is not equal to ni-1 (2≦i≦M). The multi-level cell has P storage states, wherein P = ∑ i = 1 M n i . The memory apparatus includes multiple multi-level cells and an operation circuit capable of performing the above method.
US08228726B2
A system and method of an electrically programmable and erasable non-volatile memory cell fabricated using a single-poly, logic process with the addition of ONO deposition and etching is disclosed. In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory system includes at least one non-volatile memory cell consists of a SONOS transistor fabricated on a P substrate, with a deep N-well located in the P substrate, with a P-well located in the deep N-well. The memory cell further includes an access NMOS transistor, coupled to the SONOS transistor and located in the same P-well that includes an oxide only gate-dielectric. The cell can be fabricated in a modified logic process with other transistors and with their physical characteristics preserved.
US08228703B2
A method for writing a magnetic random access memory-based ternary content addressable memory cell comprising a first magnetic tunnel junction being formed from a storage layer, a sense layer having a magnetization direction adjustable relative to the magnetization of the storage layer, and an insulating layer between the storage and sense layers; a sense line coupled with the storage layer; a first field line and a second field line, and the first field line being orthogonal to the second field line; comprising: providing a first write data to said storage layer via the second field line to store a first stored data with a high or low logic state; characterized in that, the method further comprises providing the first write data to said storage layer via the first field line to store the first stored data with a masked logic state.
US08228698B2
The shape of the rising and falling edges of AC output voltage pulses of a PWM frequency converter is controlled by reducing a speed of change, and a height, of the AC output voltage pulse. The PWM frequency converter rectifies the alternating voltage of a supply network into a DC voltage which is filtered. A load bridge having power semiconductor phase switches forms an AC output voltage from the DC voltage for controlling the load. An average speed of voltage change of AC output voltage pulses is set using a phase switch to control at least one power component to be conductive and non-conductive in turn for a period of at least about one microsecond to change a pulse edge of the AC output voltage pulses into at least one micropulse, the width of which is controlled to increase towards a final state of the phase switch.
US08228692B2
Switching-mode power conversion system and method thereof. The system includes a primary winding configured to receive an input voltage and a secondary winding coupled to the primary winding. Additionally, the system includes a compensation component configured to receive the input voltage and generate at least a clock signal based on at least information associated with the input voltage, and a signal generator configured to receive at least the clock signal and generate at least a control signal based on at least information associated with the clock signal. Moreover, the system includes a gate driver configured to receive at least the control signal and generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the control signal, and a first switch configured to receive the drive signal and affect a first current flowing through the primary winding.
US08228689B2
Disclosed is an internal cable system that communicates signals in an electronic device. The system uses a printed circuit board with active circuits that is connected to a standard communication cable. The printed circuit board is exposed to air flow from the cooling system of the electronic device for proper operation of the active components of the active circuits on the printed circuit board. The standard cable may include a SCSI internal cable or other similar signal communication cables. Signal integrity is enhanced using the active circuits that are mounted on the printed circuit board. Power is supplied to the printed circuit board through inactive conductors in the cable or conductors that would otherwise be used for grounding.
US08228687B2
An electronic device includes an electronic component, a bracket, a driving member, and a securing member. The bracket encloses the electronic component. The driving member and the securing member are mounted on the bracket. The driving member is operated along a first direction to force the securing member move along a second direction and engage with the bracket and the electronic component to assemble the bracket and the electronic component together.
US08228686B2
A substrate for high frequency includes: a dielectric substrate; a transmission line which is formed on a front surface of the dielectric substrate and includes land portions opposite to each other with a gap therebetween; a grounded conductor which is formed on a rear surface of the dielectric substrate and includes an opening portion in a region corresponding to the land portions; and a metal substrate on which the dielectric substrate is disposed in a state where the grounded conductor is in contact with the metal substrate, and also, a through hole is formed at a portion corresponding to the opening portion.
US08228685B2
A handheld electronic device and a button input device for use with a handheld electronic device are provided. The handheld electronic device includes a first casing and a second casing. The second casing is slidable with respect to the first casing. The first casing includes a fire button. The second casing includes an auxiliary button and a receiving part for storing the auxiliary button. When the second casing is slid with respect to the first casing, the auxiliary button is rotated with respect to the second casing. As such, the auxiliary button is moved from the receiving part to a surface the first casing for facilitating the user to press.
US08228676B2
A small form factor USB Bluetooth dongle includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a USB contact area, and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver die. The PCB includes a first primary surface and a second primary surface. The USB contact area is fabricated on the first primary surface. The RF transceiver die is mounted on the second primary surface, wherein the RF transceiver is in accordance with Bluetooth.
US08228672B2
An exemplary computer enclosure includes a chassis, a mounting frame, two air-guiding members, and a fan. The chassis includes a first side panel, a second side panel, and a ventilation area defining ventilation through holes. The mounting frame is fixed to the chassis and faces the ventilation through holes. The mounting frame is configured for receiving electronic components. The two air-guiding members respectively connect two opposite sides of the mounting frame to the chassis. The two air-guiding members incline relative to the mounting frame and the chassis to form an air passage. The fan is configured for exhausting air passing through the ventilation through holes and the mounting frame. The two air-guiding members and the first and second side panels cooperatively surround the ventilation area to allow the air to enter the chassis from the ventilation area and allow all of the air to pass through the mounting frame.
US08228670B2
A peripheral data storage device for IPHONE mobile phone and IPOD media player devices having an encasement containing a system of electronic circuits which communicates with the IPHONE mobile phone or IPOD media player by means of a host software system and a device software system. The device also has a charge pass through connector and optional card slots. Various views of the device are shown in FIGS. 1-5.
US08228668B2
A lift system having a first pulley and a biasing member having a first portion operatively coupled to the first pulley. A first tension member can be operatively coupled to the first pulley. The lift system may be configured to provide a constant force to the first tension member during a defined angle of rotation of the first pulley. Such a constant force can be used to counterbalance the weight of a display supported by a stand.
US08228666B2
A battery powered portable system of operating a tattoo gun that can be worn on the user's arm or clipped to the user's belt. The system directly connects to conventional tattoo guns, and offers the options of utilizing a fingertip control of the machine's speed and ON/OFF functions or the conventional control module and foot pedal controls.
US08228664B2
A solid electrolytic capacitor with suppressed occurrence of short circuit is provided. The solid electrolytic capacitor includes an anode body having a surface on which a dielectric film is formed, and a conductive polymer layer formed on the dielectric film. The conductive polymer layer includes at least a first conductive polymer layer formed on the dielectric film and a second conductive polymer layer formed on the first conductive polymer layer. A silane compound in the first conductive polymer layer and the silane compound in the second conductive polymer layer have respective concentrations different from each other.
US08228652B2
An electrical system includes first, second and third power busses; a first interrupter electrically connected between the first and second power busses; a second interrupter electrically connected between the second and third power busses; at least one of a shorting apparatus operatively associated with the second power bus, and the first interrupter comprising a trip coil; a current sensor to sense a fault current of at least a predetermined magnitude flowing in the second power bus and responsively output a first signal; a number of light sensors to sense an arc flash operatively associated with a number of the second and third power busses and responsively output a second signal; and a circuit to delay and invert the first signal to provide a third signal, and to operate the at least one of the shorting apparatus and trip coil responsive to an AND of the first, second and third signals.
US08228651B2
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes an output driver, a bypass unit, and an output driver control unit. The output driver is coupled to a data output pad. The bypass unit is configured to bypass the output driver in conducting an ESD current to a ground voltage terminal. The output driver control unit is configured to interrupt an operation of the output driver when the bypass unit operates.
US08228643B2
A method for manufacturing a magneto-resistance effect element is provided. The magneto-resistance effect element includes a first magnetic layer including a ferromagnetic material, a second magnetic layer including a ferromagnetic material and a spacer layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, the spacer layer having an insulating layer and a conductive portion penetrating through the insulating layer. The method includes: forming a film to be a base material of the spacer layer; performing a first treatment using a gas including at least one of oxygen molecules, oxygen atoms, oxygen ions, oxygen plasma and oxygen radicals on the film; and performing a second treatment using a gas including at least one of nitrogen ions, nitrogen atoms, nitrogen plasma, and nitrogen radicals on the film submitted to the first treatment.
US08228639B2
A flex cable assembly for a head stack assembly of a hard disk drive comprises a flex cable for conducting data signals from the head stack assembly to a connector. The flex cable has a dynamic loop section between a termination for the head stack assembly and the connector. The flex cable has a constrained layer damper for attenuating random transient vibration. The constrained layer damper has a symmetrically tapered shape for reducing stress concentration and is coupled with the dynamic loop section of the flex cable adjacent to an area of the flex cable configured for receiving a coupler for coupling the flex cable assembly with the head stack assembly.
US08228629B2
The objective of this invention is to provide a motor control device, and a disk drive device using the same, in which during emergency operation it is possible to supply necessary power to the motor while limiting enlargement of the circuit area. During the retraction operation, control is performed to alternate between a short-circuit mode in which each terminal U, V, W of the spindle motor M1 is short-circuited to the terminal ICOM, and a rectifying mode in which the back electromotive force of the spindle motor M1 is rectifies and output to the power supply line ISO3V, VGND while the input of power from the power supply line ISO3V, VGND to the spindle motor M1 is blocked.
US08228626B2
A color wheel is provided with a balancing device. The balancing device encompasses an essentially circular track whose center point coincides with the axial center of rotation of the color wheel. The track is provided with at least two mutually independent, movable balancing weights. Moving the balancing weights along the track requires a force greater than the gravitational force of the balancing weight. To balance a color wheel, a determination is made of a position in which a balancing weight corresponding to the total weight of the balancing weight system would have to be placed in order to balance the color wheel. At least one of the balancing weights is then moved to the position, according to the determination, where one of the balancing weights corresponding to the total weight of the balancing weight system would have to be placed.
US08228622B2
An optical lens system for taking image comprises: in order from the object side to the image side: an aperture stop; a first lens element with positive refractive power having a convex object-side surface, a second lens element with negative refractive power; a third lens element with positive refractive power having a concave object-side surface and a convex image-side surface; a plastic fourth lens element with negative refractive power having a concave image-side surface, the object-side and the image-side surfaces of the fourth lens element being aspheric. A focal length of the optical lens system for taking image is f, a focal length of the first lens element and the second lens element combined is f12, and they satisfy the relations: 0.45
US08228619B2
A lens barrel includes lens units movable in an optical axis direction, a driving unit including an annular actuator in which an optical axis serves as a rotation center, a first cam cylinder disposed inwardly of the annular actuator and including a circular cylindrical base portion and a large-diameter portion, a second cam cylinder configured to drive at least one of the lens units by rotating at an outer-peripheral side of the large-diameter portion, and a rotation transmitting portion provided at the large-diameter portion and transmitting rotation of the first cam cylinder to the second cam cylinder, wherein, in a state in which the length of the lens barrel is shortest, a portion of the second cam cylinder and the rotation transmitting portion overlap in the optical axis direction a lens unit holding frame that is closest to an object side.
US08228616B2
A zoom lens includes, from the object side to the image side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power. At least the second and fourth lens groups are moved along the optical axis during zooming. The second lens group includes, from the object side to the image side, three negative lenses and one positive lens and satisfies 0.54<|f2|/√(fw·ft)<0.66 where f2 is the focal length of the second lens group, and fw and ft are the focal lengths of the entire optical system at the wide-angle end and at the telephoto end, respectively.
US08228612B2
A zoom lens and an image pickup apparatus are disclosed. The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power. The fifth lens group includes a fixed group having a negative refractive power, and a movable group having a positive refractive power and being movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. The image formed on an image surface is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis by moving the movable group of the fifth lens group in the direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. The fifth lens group is satisfied predetermined conditions.
US08228610B2
A lens injection mold includes an upper mold and a lower mold, a cavity provided in the upper mold or the lower mold and having a shape corresponding to the rib portion having the concave portions in order to form the rib portion, and an upper core and a lower core disposed to be movable inside the upper mold and the lower mold and having an upper tip portion and a lower tip portion, respectively, the tip portions having a shape corresponding to the effective aperture portion such that the effective aperture portion is created by pressing injection liquid.
US08228602B2
A scanning system that provides for detection based on supercritical angle fluorescence (SAF) is described. The system provides for the optical coupling of a sample to the scanner in a sandwich structure that uses first and second refractive index matching materials to provide optical coupling through the sandwich arrangement.
US08228599B1
A system for combining multiple coherent optical beams incorporates a plurality of coherent beamlets expanded to an aperture. An interferometer receives a sample of a full aperture unphased combination of the plurality of beamlets and provides interference fringes. A spatial light modulator (SLM) receives the fringes from the interferometer and generates a hologram as a diffraction grating. Relay optics transmit the full aperture unphased combined beamlets to the SLM and receive a diffraction corrected full aperture phased beam from the diffraction grating hologram for emission to the far field.
US08228593B2
A projection apparatus implemented with a mirror device that includes a first electrode and a second electrode with an elastic hinge disposed between the first electrode part and second electrode. The elastic hinge supports a mirror and the mirror is controlled to deflect when drawn by a Coulomb force generated between the mirror and electrodes by applying a voltage to the electrodes. The projection apparatus further includes a light source for projecting a light to the mirror for modulating the light by deflecting the mirror to different deflection states. The light source suppresses the emission of the illumination light during a period when the mirror performs a series of operations to shift from a non-deflection state, placing the mirror in a stationary and non-deflection state, to a predetermined deflection state.
US08228592B2
Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices.
US08228589B2
A periscope that is switchable between the normal optical view of the outside, a display view, and an overlay view in which the outside view and display view are combined. The switching element is an electronically switchable mirror with primarily reflective, primarily transparent, and intermediate states, depending on the application of electrical potentials.
US08228585B2
A electro-optical device is provide with a substrate, a pixel electrode provide for each pixel, a pixel transistor which is provided for each pixel more to a lower layer side through an interlayer insulating film than the pixel electrode and is connected to the pixel electrode, a periphery transistor provided in a periphery region, and a connection wire formed in the same film as the pixel electrode in a region where the interlayer insulating film and a gate insulating film included in the pixel transistor and the periphery transistor are not formed, and electrically connected to the periphery transistor.
US08228575B2
A system, method, and device for producing, transmitting and displaying images in holographic form of up to three dimensions. Information representative of a three dimensional image can be converted into three-dimensional positional data. The three-dimensional position data can be converted into an electromagnetic field which can be received by nanomachines configured to adjust position in accordance with the electromagnetic field and including mirrored endpoints for reflecting light. The nanomachines can adjust position in three dimensions so that the mirrored endpoints reflect light in a manner that reproduces the three dimensional image in holographic form.
US08228559B2
A system and method for characterizing color separation misregistration of a multi-color printing system utilizing a broadband multi-channel scanning module, such as an RGB scanner, are provided. The system and method include generating a spectral reflectance data structure corresponding to a broadband multi-channel scanning module. The spectral reflectance data structure includes at least one parameter. The at least one parameter may correspond to the broadband multi-channel scanning module and/or a printing module. The system and method further provide for calibrating a spectral-based analysis module by utilizing the spectral reflectance data structure. The system and method also include characterizing color separation misregistration utilizing the calibrated spectral-based analysis module by examining at least one plurality-separation patch.
US08228552B2
There is provided an image recording device that comprises an output buffer configured to temporarily store image data for one page of a recording medium, an image generating unit configured to generate output image data based on input image data, and an image recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium. The image generating unit includes a buffer based scale factor determining unit configured to determine a buffer based scale factor, the buffer based scale factor being determined such that an amount of the output image data does not exceed a capacity of the output buffer, a scale factor determining unit configured to determine a scale factor by which the image represented by the input image data is enlarged or reduced, and an image enlarging/reducing unit that generates the output image data based on the scale factor determined by the scale factor determining unit.
US08228548B2
A multiplex system such as copying system is supplied capable of improving read speed. The multiplex system comprises a scanner to read manuscript and generate image data, and a printer to print the image data generated by the scanner; in the scanner, a scan page data storing section stores the image data; in the printer, a scanner controlling section controls status information of the scan page data storing section, and outputs a read instruction of one page manuscript to the scanner on the basis of the status information.
US08228545B2
A user inputs an ID and password, using an operating panel. When a start key is pressed to instruct the start of copying of a document, a dot pattern detection unit detects, from image data, a dot pattern formed according to a predetermined period. When a dot pattern is detected, a display control unit causes an operating panel to display a message indicating that a dot pattern has been detected. When the continuation of a copying operation is instructed, then after the completion of reading of the document, the image log generation unit generates an image log and log information and image log transmit ion control unit transmits the image log and log information to a computer of an administrator.
US08228544B2
The amount of expansion or contraction of a sheet is derived from the sheet size before printing and the sheet size after the printing to adjust the position on the sheet where post-processing is performed based on the derived amount of expansion or contraction. Even if the sheet size is varied from a normal sheet size before the printing due to an image forming process in an MFP or the sheet that is left, it is possible to adjust the position in accordance with the variation in the sheet size.
US08228540B2
A method, an apparatus, and computer-readable medium with instructions to carry out a method. The method is to rasterize variable and non-variable content for multiple instances of a page and includes dividing a page is into a plurality of non-overlapping parts including variable content. The method includes rasterizing the page with no variable content present into a rasterized fixed page that includes for at least any part that has no variable content a rasterized fixed image. The method further includes identifying one or more parts of the plurality of parts of the page that have variable content, and rasterizing each instance of the page with the variable elements of the page instance into a rasterized instance that includes, for each part that has variable content, a rasterized variable image that includes the variable content and any non-variable content of the instance. The generated rasterized fixed images and rasterized variable images for each instance are combinable.
US08228537B2
A print managing server is connected to a plurality of printers through a network and stores print data which can be printed by the printer in combination with user information. The print managing server has control means for controlling execution of a command including the user information which is received from the printer. The control means controls in such a manner that when the command is received, if a printing process corresponding to the user information included in the command is being executed for the other printer, the printing process which is being executed is stopped for the other printer and a process corresponding to the command is executed.
US08228536B2
An image processing device includes an input filter configured to control an input process of data to be input as a subject of an image process, an output filter configured to control an output process of data to be output to an outside of the image processing device, a processing filter configured to process the data between the input filter and the output filter, and a pipe configured to transmit the data among the input filter, the processing filter, and the output filter.
US08228533B2
Image processing system, image processing method, computer readable medium, and computer data signal
There is provided is an image processing system including an image processing device, which receives an image formation instruction containing information on a formation target image and output destination designation information designating an output destination of the image formation instruction, which are output by an image forming device control program, transmits the image formation instruction to an image forming device associated with the output destination designation information, and produces, when the image formation instruction is transmitted to the image forming device, a log image corresponding to the formation target image based on the image formation instruction.
US08228531B2
A printer utility 06 determines, upon receiving an instruction to display the remaining amount of ink, whether the interface with the selected printer is busy. If not busy, a status is obtained using that interface, and the remaining amount of ink, which is a part of the status, is displayed. If busy, a nearest previous status of the printer is read if stored in a printer status storage unit 05, and the remaining amount of ink is displayed. If not stored, a nearest previous status of the printer is read if stored in a printer status storage unit 07, and the remaining amount of ink is displayed.
US08228527B2
A digital still camera is used for taking and storing digital representations of a plurality of images. A printer, such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer, is used for generating graphical representations of selected ones of the plurality of images on a preselected print media such as a paper. A flash memory card, floppy diskette, direct data link or some other data transfer scheme is used to transfer the digital representations of the plurality of images from the digital still camera to the printer. The printer includes programming for generating a combination proof sheet and order form. The combination proof sheet and order form can include an array of thumbnail images and a plurality of image selection and/or image enhancement user designation areas such as bubbles to be filled in by the user with a pencil. The printer includes a scanner and related circuitry and software for scanning the combination proof sheet and order form to detect the user designation areas completed by the user. The programming in the printer thereafter causes it to generate at least one final print sheet with the images and enhancements designated by the user on the combination proof sheet and order form. The proof sheet and order form can be used to designate the number of final prints of a selected image, the size and/or cropping of the prints, the brightness, color balance, background, borders and so forth.
US08228525B2
A method of digital printing in which each of the page images of a print job with a large number of sequential pages to be printed is classified as to the job or document type. Upon occurrence of a fault in printing, upon fault clearance and resumption of printing, only those pages having the same classification as the pages involved in the fault are reprinted in sequence from the fault.
US08228507B2
A quantum entanglement generating system includes: a laser light source for producing a light beam of light frequency 2f0; a ring interferometer comprising a beam splitter into which the light beam of light frequency 2f0 is incident and a plurality of mirrors, the beam splitter and the mirrors forming an optical path in the form of a ring; a parametric amplifier inserted in the optical path of the ring interferometer for producing a beam of light of light frequency f0 upon receiving the light beam of light frequency 2f0 incident into the optical parametric amplifier; and a dispersive medium inserted in the optical path of the ring interferometer for varying relative optical path length for the light beam of light frequency 2f0 and the light beam of light frequency f0.
US08228505B2
An object of the present invention relates to detecting a target substance with high contrast. The invention relates to analysis of a target substance using a light-transmitting substrate and a metal for inducing plasmon resonance, and further using a low refractive index layer with an opening portion, which forms an interface with the substrate, and which has a lower refractive index than the substrate. Light emitted from a substrate side is totally reflected at the interface to irradiate the metal arranged in the opening portion with evanescent light. Light generated from the target substance by plasmon resonance of the evanescent light is detected. According to the invention, the radiation of evanescent light to a material other than the target substance can be reduced, and thereby light emission from the martial other than the target substance, e.g., a molecule floating around the target substance, can be reduced.
US08228493B2
A test object carrying device for use in an appearance inspection device for checking the appearance of the test objects, which includes a back/front reversal unit for turning over the test objects being conveyed by the forward conveying means and supplying them to the returning unit; the back/front reversal means is provided with a first drum for rotating and conveying the test objects unit while holding the test objects on the peripheral surface thereof, and a second drum for rotating and conveying the test objects being conveyed by the first drum while holding the test objects on the peripheral surface thereof; wherein at least one of the first drum and the second drum is structured so that the test objects are transferred in parallel to the forward conveying unit and returning unit by rotating and conveying the test objects while holding them on the peripheral surface thereof.
US08228487B2
A lithographic apparatus is configured to transfer a pattern from a patterning structure, held by a patterning structure holder, onto a substrate that is held by a substrate holder. The apparatus includes a first object holder configured to hold an object, and an object temperature conditioner configured to condition a temperature of the object prior to and/or during transfer of the object to the first object holder. The object temperature conditioner includes a second object holder having a fluid duct system and an electrical temperature conditioner.
US08228483B2
A projection objective is disclosed. The projection objective can include a plurality of optical elements arranged to image a pattern from an object field in an object surface of the projection objective to an image field in an image surface of the projection objective with electromagnetic operating radiation from a wavelength band around an operating wavelength λ. The plurality of optical elements can include an optical correction plate that includes a body comprising a material transparent to the operating radiation, the body having a first optical surface, a second optical surface, a plate normal substantially perpendicular to the first and second optical surfaces, and a thickness profile defined as a distance between the first and second optical surfaces measured parallel to the plate normal. The first optical surface can have a non-rotationally symmetric aspheric first surface profile with a first peak-to-valley value PV1>λ. The second optical surface can have a non-rotationally symmetric aspheric second surface profile with a second peak-to-valley value PV2>λ. A thickness of the optical correction plate can vary by less than 0.1*(PV1+PV2)/2 across the optical correction plate.
US08228475B2
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a gate line and first and second data lines disposed on the first substrate, a first thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the first data line, a second thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the second data line, a color filter disposed on the first substrate, a protrusion disposed on the color filter, a first pixel electrode including a first linear electrode disposed on the protrusion and connected to the first thin film transistor, a second pixel electrode including a second linear electrode disposed on the protrusion and connected to the second thin film transistor, a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate, and blue phase liquid crystal disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08228465B2
A white phosphor including: 40 to 50 parts by weight of a blue phosphor selected from the group consisting of ZnS:(Ag,Cl), ZnS:(Ag,Al), ZnS:(Ag,Al,Cl), and a combination thereof; 20 to 30 parts by weight of a green phosphor (Sr1-xCax)Ga2S4:Eu (0≦x<0.2); and 20 to 30 parts by weight of a red phosphor selected from the group consisting of Y2O3:Eu, Y2O3:(Eu,Tb), Y2O2S:Eu, Y2O2S:(Eu,Tb), and combinations thereof. The white phosphor can be included in a light emission device. The light emission device can be included in a liquid crystal display.
US08228464B2
A liquid crystal display device including a thin light guide plate and capable of preventing light leakage from light sources is provided. The light guide plate is formed of a sheet. On a back face of the light guide plate, a first projection and a second projection that protrude outwardly and a reflection face provided between the first projection and the second projection are provided. The light sources are disposed on a side face of the light guide plate. A light entering portion is disposed on the side face where the light source is provided. A thin film portion is included between the light sources adjacent to each other in the light entering portion.
US08228463B2
A passive daylight-coupled display having an LCD panel, a diffuser, a turning film behind the LCD panel, and a curved reflector behind the turning film. For passive backlighting, the diffuser transmits daylight to the reflector, which reflects the daylight to the LCD panel through the turning film and provides for substantially uniform distribution of the daylight on the LCD panel for backlighting it. The turning film has prisms with chaos for an improved viewer experience.
US08228459B2
A backlight unit and liquid crystal display device comprising the backlight unit is disclosed. A backlight unit comprises a light source, an optical sheet where light from the light source is incident, a frame surrounding an edge portion of the optical sheet; and at least one sheet holder disposed at a bottom part of the frame facing the optical sheet.
US08228447B2
An image display module adapted for displaying an image in an electronic device, includes a bottom cover, a sliding portion movably mounted on the bottom cover, a screen received in the bottom cover, an upper cover fastened and aligned to the bottom cover, and a sensor arranged on the upper cover. An opening is defined in the upper cover for exposing the screen and displaying images captured by the electronic device. The sliding portion can move from a first position to a second position relative to the bottom cover. When the sliding portion is at the first position, the sliding portion is away from the sensor, the opening is partially covered and a part of the screen is exposed for displaying images. When the sliding portion moves to the second position relative to the bottom cover, the sliding portion engages the sensor, and the screen is fully exposed for displaying images.
US08228431B2
In various implementations, a re-configurable phase lock loop may have multiple signal paths, including a feedforward path to operate in a carrier frequency acquisition mode to obtain a carrier frequency estimate and a feedback loop path to operate in a carrier frequency tracking mode to translate an incoming signal to a baseband signal. The multiple signal paths may share most of the hardware to reduce implementation cost.
US08228426B2
A semiconductor package includes a solid-state imaging element, electrode pad, through-hole electrode, and light-transmitting substrate. The solid-state imaging element is formed on the first main surface of a semiconductor substrate. The electrode pad is formed on the first main surface of the semiconductor substrate. The through-hole electrode is formed to extend through the semiconductor substrate between the first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the electrode pad formed on the first main surface. The light-transmitting substrate is placed on a patterned adhesive to form a hollow on the solid-state imaging element. The thickness of the semiconductor substrate below the hollow when viewed from the light-transmitting substrate is larger than that of the semiconductor substrate below the adhesive.
US08228416B2
A digital camera of the present invention includes a receiving portion 155 that receives a control signal from a remote controller, and a microcomputer 110 having a live view mode controlling so that image data generated by a CMOS sensor 130 or image data obtained by subjecting the image data generated by the CMOS sensor 130 to predetermined processing is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 150 as a moving image in real time, wherein when the receiving portion 155 receives the control signal from the remote controller, the microcomputer 110 controls so as to shift the digital camera to a live view mode. Due to this configuration, in a digital camera that includes a movable mirror and is capable of displaying a subject image in a live view through an electronic viewfinder, the operability thereof can be enhanced.
US08228414B2
A real-size preview system in a terminal having a digital camera function and a control method thereof are provided. The real-size preview system includes a display unit for displaying an image provided through a camera module to a user and an image processor for designating a first display area in the display unit and displaying an image, designating a second display area in the display unit and changing an image size of a region of an image previewed through the first display area to a different size to be displayed. The system enables a user to confirm the real size of a photographed object to enhance image readability.
US08228413B2
A photographer's guidance system is formed of a computer-based processor made responsive to location, time of day, manual user inputs, among others to provide photo exposure suggestions based upon information stored as photo set-up descriptors. In response to user requests in combination with present conditions such as time, location weather, etc., a database request is executed against stored photo set-up data to produce a result set of photo set-up descriptors. These descriptors are used both manually and automatically to assist a photographer user in setting up a photo exposure in agreement with the prescribed parameters. These systems may be directly coupled with a DSLR type camera and may operate via user controls and interfaces thereof. In alternative versions, these system have independent control and user interfaces with outputs coupled to a DSLR control. In still further other versions, an entirely manual system leaves it to the photographer to set up a camera of the art in agreement with parameters presented in resultsets.
US08228412B2
An information display apparatus includes an input device adapted to input user operation information, a touch sensor adapted to detect the state of the input device in terms of whether the input device is touched by a user, a display adapted to display information, and a control unit adapted to receive user operation information from the input device and sensor detection information from the touch sensor, and control displaying of the information on the display in accordance with the received user operation information and the sensor detection information. If the touch information indicating that the input device is touched by the user is received from the touch sensor, the control unit displays first information associated with the input device on the display. If the input device is maintained in the touched state longer than a predetermined period, the control unit switches the displayed information into second information.
US08228410B2
A pixel structure includes two different photosensitive portions. One portion is shielded from incident light and the signals from both are fed into an op amp so that the differential signal is output as the pixel output, thereby cancelling dark current.
US08228405B2
A non-uniformity correction (NUC) process for imaging engines is augmented with real-time pixel substitution capability. This feature checks for pixels that have significantly degraded from their factory performance. Degraded pixels found are then substituted in real time. This process eliminates distractions to the camera system operator and prevents these degraded pixels from degrading the subjective image quality.
US08228404B2
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image transmitted through an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels that are different from the imaging pixels are arranged. The apparatus detects a direction of continuity of the pixel signals based on pixel signals of the imaging pixels positioned around the non-imaging pixels, and determines, based on the detected direction of continuity, the pixel signals at the positions of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel output of the imaging pixels positioned around the non-imaging pixels.
US08228400B2
Simulating a long exposure-time image from a sequence of short exposure-time images captured at slightly different times. The sequence of images is combined in a temporal integration process to create a long exposure image that simulates the output from a still camera, steadied by a tripod, whose light-sensitive material has been exposed to the same scene from the time of the beginning of the first input image of the sequence to the last image of the input sequence. The method overcomes limitations of hand-held video and image recording devices, allowing the user to easily create effects normally associated with high-end digital still cameras under expert control.
US08228385B2
An apparatus for determining information in order to temporally align first and second information signals, each including one or several information values for successive sampling times, the apparatus including a characteristic extractor for extracting a characteristic per sampling time or per subsequence of sampling times from the first information signal within a first search pattern to obtain a first characteristic curve, and for extracting the characteristic per sampling time or per subsequence of sampling times from the second information signal within a second search pattern to obtain a second characteristic curve and a determiner for determining the information for temporal alignment based on similarities between the first and second characteristic curves of the characteristic by means of a first search for a search pattern from one of the first and second characteristic curves of the characteristic within the other of the first and second characteristic curves of the characteristic.
US08228377B2
A camera comprises a camera support; a camera housing rotatably disposed on the camera support for pan movement relative to the camera support; a camera lens rotatably disposed in the camera housing for tilt movement relative to the camera housing; a pan motor coupled with the camera housing to drive the camera housing in pan movement relative to the camera support; and a tilt motor coupled with the camera lens to drive the camera lens in tilt movement relative to the camera housing.
US08228370B2
A stereoscopic image shooting and display system has a left-right pair of image pickup sections having a left-right pair of optical systems with a parallax, and an image processing section which performs predetermined image processing on left and right images picked up through the left-right pair of image pickup sections and parallactically different from each other, and which outputs the processed images to a display section to display the images as a stereoscopic image. When a region corresponding to a region difficult for an observer to observe is detected, the image pickup sections or the image processing section is controlled so that the region becomes easy-to-observe state.
US08228368B2
An illumination channel, a stereoscopic optical channel and another optical channel are held and positioned by a robotic surgical system. A first capture unit captures a stereoscopic visible image from the first light from the stereoscopic optical channel while a second capture unit captures a fluorescence image from the second light from the other optical channel. An intelligent image processing system receives the captured stereoscopic visible image and the captured fluorescence image and generates a stereoscopic pair of fluorescence images. An augmented stereoscopic display system outputs a real-time stereoscopic image comprising a three-dimensional presentation of a blend of the stereoscopic visible image and the stereoscopic pair of fluorescence images.
US08228362B2
The invention discloses an image capturing device and an image delivery method which is suitably applied to a video conference. The video conference is held between a local terminal and a remote terminal through a network. The device comprises a processor, a video encoder, an encryption engine and a data transmitting interface. The processor is used to process an original video signal for generating a first video signal and a second video signal. The video encoder is for receiving and compressing the first video signal. The encryption engine is for encrypting the compressed first video signal. The data transfer interface is for transmitting the compressed and encrypted first video signal and the second video signal to the local terminal. Wherein, the first video signal is transmitted to the remote terminal by the local terminal through the network and recovered by the remote terminal, and the second video signal is presented at the local terminal.
US08228360B2
The present invention is a method and system for clustering two or more video conferencing recording/streaming devices, making the cluster of two or more devices appear as one single device for the user. One of the recording/streaming devices acts as a cluster controller and provides a user interface to the users. System settings are propagated to the other recording/streaming devices in the cluster from the cluster controller. A load balancing system controls incoming and outgoing calls, distributing the computational load amongst the recording/streaming devices evenly.
US08228358B2
Method and apparatus are provided for displaying an image to a viewer with reduced visual artifacts. The apparatus comprises a display panel for forming the image using an array of pixels with distributed active regions, and a viewing arrangement optically situated between the display panel and the viewer for transferring the image formed on the display panel to the viewer with limited angular pixel subtense. The distributed active regions of the pixels are desirably divided into at least two simultaneously switched portions at least partly separated by or surrounding a significant portion of the non-switchable region. First order spatial harmonics and associated artifacts are reduced by the distributed apertures and second order and higher harmonics are reduced by limiting the pixel subtense angle seen by the viewer. A significant reduction in visual artifacts arising from the periodic structure of the display panel is obtained.
US08228356B2
A novel method for driving a display having an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of defining a modulation period for a row of pixels, dividing the modulation period into a number of coequal time intervals equal to n times the number of rows in the array, receiving a multi-bit data word that indicates an intensity value, and updating the signal asserted on the pixel during a plurality of the time intervals such that the intensity value is displayed by the pixel. Note that n is an integer greater than zero. The method can be applied to all rows, which can be driven asynchronously. A display driver for performing the novel methods is also disclosed. The present invention facilitates driving the display at 100% bandwidth efficiency during each time interval in the modulation period.
US08228354B2
A display control device uses frame rate control, and converts m-bit input data (m is an integer) representing brightness of each pixel, to n-bit output data (n is an integer, n
US08228347B2
A user interface for a sonographic device is disclosed that displays a sonographic image and at least one reference object corresponding to a catheter size. The reference object may be scaled in proportion to the sonographic image. In addition, the user interface may further display a plurality of vertical lines and a plurality of horizontal lines arranged in a grid-like pattern and placed over the sonographic image. The size of both the sonographic image and the at least one reference object may change in proportion to a chosen insertion depth. A display device, a sonographic device and corresponding methods are also disclosed.
US08228341B2
A plurality of input image signals are synthesized to generate a synthesis signal on the basis of synthesis information indicating an area where input image signals which are image signals of an image composed of at least one of input moving images and still images are respectively synthesized, a motion vector of the synthesis signal is detected, a synthesis interpolation exclusion area is decided where the interpolation in the synthesis signal is not performed on the basis of the synthesis information and interpolation control information indicating an input interpolation exclusion area where the interpolation in the respective input image signals is not performed, and a synthesis signal in-between signal is interpolated and output which is an image signal at an arbitrary time between the synthesis signal and a previous synthesis signal on the basis of the motion vector in an area other than the synthesis interpolation exclusion area.
US08228335B1
To assist users in identifying the contributions of specific computer graphics variable or animation variable knots to the timing, rhythm, and expression of complicated animations, an animation software interface includes a snapsheet mode for visualizing and authored poses of objects. The snapsheet mode presents a series of rendered still images corresponding with the authored poses of one or more selected entities. The snapsheet mode may use one or more computer graphics variables, one or more objects, or arbitrary frames or shot time values as selected entities. The snapsheet mode associates each still image with a portion of the shot time of the overall animation corresponding with the selected entity's influence in the animation. Users may modify animation data via the snapsheet mode using each image may act as a proxy for manipulating associated authored values of one or more computer graphics variables.
US08228332B1
A computer provides a visible representation feature to display a plurality of regions to visibly represent a plurality of stocks and a plurality of stock market indices in a user's watch list. Each region represents a respective one of the stocks and the stock market indices in the user's watch list. Each region is user-selectable using a touch screen input device, is bordered by a respective color that is based on a change in price of its represented one of the stocks and the stock market indices in the user's watch list, and has an interior color that is not based on the change in price. In response to a user selection of a region from the touch screen input device, the computer retrieves a chart associated with the respective one of the stocks and the stock market indices in the user's watch list represented by the region.
US08228326B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with determining whether geometries represented by geometry objects intersect are described. One example method recursively decomposes a higher order geometry (e.g., solid) into a set of lower order geometries (e.g., surfaces) and examines the lower order geometries, continuing the recursion until an intersection decision is reached. The example method includes accessing geometry objects and accessing a spatial index that stores MBVs associated with the geometry objects. The method includes extracting candidate pairs of intersecting features upon determining MBVs associated with the geometry objects intersect and providing the candidate features to a feature-feature logic. The method includes providing an intersection signal based on a features intersection signal provided by the feature-feature logic.
US08228325B2
The present invention is directed to a method of integrating information, including real-time information, into a virtual thematic environment using a computer system, including accessing the stored information from a database or downloading the real-time information from a source external to the thematic environment; inserting the real-time information into the thematic environment; and displaying the information to a user within the thematic environment. In one embodiment, the computer system is connected to a holographic projection system such that the images from the thematic environment can be projected as holographic projections. The computer system includes an interactive software application platform having at least one thematic/publishing logic module which contains thematic environment rules; at least one digital content library module which provides content management on the thematic environment; and at least one quantum imaging environment (QIE) module which interprets content such that the content is manipulated and accessed by any device.
US08228321B2
An apparatus for adjusting luminance includes a comparing part, a summing part, a mode selecting part, an inverting part and a decoding part. The comparing part compares a photo sensing voltage with a reference voltage in each of a plurality of sensing periods and generating a photo sensing signal. The summing part sums the photo sensing signal during the sensing periods and generates a plurality of summation signals. The mode selecting part controls an application of the summation signals based on a mode selection. Then, the inverting part inverts the summation signals based on the control of the mode selecting part and generates a plurality of inversion signals. The decoding part decodes the summation signals or the inversion signals and generates a decoding signal. Therefore, light pollution and power consumption may be decreased, and manufacturing costs may be decreased.
US08228312B2
A position detecting device includes a position indicator (2), a first detection section (13) (e.g., an electrostatic capacity type detection section) having a substantially flat shape, and a second detection section (14) (e.g., an electromagnetic induction type detection section). The position indicator (2) has a coil (27). The first detection section (13) has, on one surface thereof, detection electrodes (15) for detecting a capacitance between itself and a human body part. The second detection section (14) is provided with loop coils (24) for detecting a magnetic flux G. Further, each of the detection electrodes (15) has a substantially flat shape, and is provided with at least one slit (19) extending from the outer edge to the inside. With such a configuration, not only can degradation of detection accuracy of the first detection section be prevented or suppressed, but also degradation of detection accuracy of the second detection section can be prevented or suppressed.
US08228308B2
A method for making a liquid crystal display screen is provided. A touch panel including at least one carbon nanotube structure layer is prepared. A first polarizer is applied on a surface of the touch panel. A thin film transistor panel including a number of thin film transistors is prepared. A liquid crystal layer is placed between the first polarizer and the thin film transistors.
US08228307B2
The invention discloses a portable computer comprising a host, a touch input device disposed in the host, and a displayer pivoted on the host. The touch input device comprises a touch module, a switch and a controller. The controller is coupled to the touch module and the switch. The touch module is for performing a first touch function or a second touch function and for displaying a first touch pattern or a second touch pattern correspondingly. The switch drives the controller to control the touch module to perform the first touch function or the second touch function and control the touch module to display the first touch pattern or the second touch pattern correspondingly.
US08228304B2
A touch system includes a touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and having overlapping fields of view. A digital signal processor is associated with each camera. The digital signal processors process pixel data acquired by selected pixel subsets of the at least two digital cameras to generate pointer characteristic data when a pointer exists in the acquired images. The pointer characteristic data identifies edges of the pointer. A master digital signal processor triangulates the edge information in the pointer characteristic data to determine a bounding area that represents a pointer perimeter.
US08228301B2
One aspect of the invention is a bistable cholesteric writing tablet on which an image is formed by applying a suitable voltage while applying writing pressure, which results in a focal conic texture in a reduced gap region of the active layer while not changing the texture of the unreduced gap region of the active layer (e.g., a written portion being in a focal conic texture on a background in the planar texture). Another aspect of the invention is a multi-color stacked writing tablet in which a color of an image is selected by applying a suitable voltage while applying writing pressure using an instrument such as an untethered stylus on the surface of the tablet. The writing tablet includes at least two or three stacked layers of bistable cholesteric liquid crystal material. Selected colors can be additively mixed to achieve intermediate colors as desired. The image can be erased and new images written on the tablet. Gray scale achieved by varying the applied voltage during writing or the writing pressure in some cases, enables the writing tablet to produce a broad range of colors. The writing device is suitable for many applications such as a toy, sketch pad, erasable signage, tags or a large writing board without the mess of chalk or ink.
US08228287B2
A LCD includes a liquid crystal panel having a first common voltage supply line and a second common voltage supply line, a common voltage generator, and a first common voltage compensator and a second common voltage compensator. The common voltage generator generates a first common voltage and a second common voltage. The first common voltage compensator and the second common voltage compensator generate a first compensated common voltage and a second compensated common voltage, respectively. The first compensated common voltage and the second compensated common voltage compensate for a first ripple voltage and a second ripple voltage in a first common voltage and a second common voltage generated at the first common voltage supply line and the second common voltage supply line, respectively.
US08228278B2
A display panel has a display area and a peripheral circuit area next to the display area. The display panel includes a number of pixels, a first signal line, a second signal line, and a third signal line. The pixels are arranged in array in the display area. The first signal line disposed in an intersection of the display area and the peripheral circuit area is electrically connected to the pixels. A data signal is suitable for being applied to the first signal line. The second signal line is disposed in the peripheral circuit area. A common signal is suitable for being applied to the second signal line. The third signal line is disposed between the first signal line and the second signal line. A reference signal is suitable for being applied to the third signal line. The data signal, the common signal, and the reference signal are different signals.
US08228272B2
A backlight device for providing backlighting to a liquid crystal display panel displaying a video image comprising a plurality of light emitting devices for providing backlighting to a liquid crystal display panel, a controller unit for receiving a video image and dividing the video image into a plurality of sub-images wherein each sub-image corresponds to at least one light emitting device, and for generating driving signals of each light emitting device according to grayscale level characteristics of at least one sub-image.
US08228264B2
Method and apparatus are provided for driving segments of a bistable display. The method may include providing, at the same time, a plurality of independent waveforms corresponding to display data for driving a plurality of segments of the display. The method may include selecting, for each segment, one of the independent driving waveforms. The method may also include determining whether an update of display data has occurred for one of the segments. The method may include selecting a different one of the waveforms to drive the segment if an update has occurred. The method may further include maintaining a currently selected waveform to drive the segment if an update has not occurred.
US08228263B2
A LCD unit includes a plurality of LC panels stacked one on another. If a picture to be displayed on the LCD unit is a still picture, one of the LC panels consecutively scans plurality of rows of pixels in a direction opposite to the scanning direction of the rows of pixels in the rest of LC panels. If the picture is a moving picture, all the LC panels consecutively scans in the same direction.
US08228261B2
An expanded bit map display (“EBMD”) (10) for displaying an image (14) and a method of creating such for mounting the EBMD (10) to a building surface (12) is provided. The EBMD (10) is a large-scale colored light display comprising a plurality of intelligent light fixtures (16) having a microprocessor and a memory and mounted to the building surface (12). Each light fixture (16) is separately addressable and operable to store lighting characteristics or information. Groups of light fixtures (16) are in communication with a central processor operable to communicate control protocol.
US08228255B2
A printed circuit board (PCB) antenna assembly having a metal shroud and a method of making the same are presented. The shroud reduces radio frequency (RF) interference from the rear of the PCB antenna while not introducing unwanted nulls in front of the antenna. The metal shroud has a back panel and two angled side panels and is set so that the back panel is parallel to the PCB antenna and set at a determined distance from the PCB antenna. The shroud can be formed by applying a metallized paint to a non-conducting cover with properly oriented surfaces.
US08228249B2
An in-vehicle antenna device includes: a dielectric element having a front surface, first and second side surfaces and a rear surface and including a power supply point on both the first and second side surfaces, a first conductive surface on the first side surface, a second conductive surface on the second side surface, and a third conductive surface on the rear surface; and an antenna element including a base element coupled with the power supply point at one corner of the front surface and a branch element connected to the base element and having an end. A part of the branch element moves apart from one of the first and second conductive surfaces as it goes from the base element to the one end of the branch element. The front surface is attached to a windshield of a vehicle.
US08228248B1
An aircraft antenna, an antenna system, and a method of providing an antenna are disclosed. A conductive plate is configured to conform to an area on an outer surface of a fuselage of an aircraft. The conductive plate is configured to be positioned in direct and intimate contact with a conductive portion of the fuselage. A conductive rib is configured to be electrically coupled to the conductive plate and to extend toward a first point adjacent an inner surface of a structure of the aircraft that extends from the fuselage. A conductive spine configured to extend along the inner surface of the structure between the first point and a second point. The conductive spine is electrically coupled to the conductive rib at the first point and is configured to receive a conductive feed line at the second point. An antenna coupler mount is configured to receive an antenna coupler. The antenna coupler mount is physically coupled to a surface of the conductive plate and is electrically coupled to the conductive plate.
US08228247B2
A measured antenna and a measuring antenna are placed inside a radio anechoic container. On the basis of an aperture size D of the measured antenna, an aperture size d of the measuring antenna, and a wavelength λ of a measurement frequency, a distance L between the measured antenna and the measuring antenna is set to a value in the range of (D+d)2/(2λ) to 2(D+d)2/λ. Thus, in the Fresnel region where the distance L is short, antenna characteristics of the measured antenna substantially the same as those in the Fraunhofer region where the distance L is long can be measured.
US08228241B2
An inverse F antenna (IFA) antenna is provided. The IFA antenna includes a ground portion, a radiation portion, a short-circuit portion and a feed-in portion. The width of the radiation portion is larger than the width of the ground portion, such that the operating band of the IFA antenna covers at least a first band and a second band at the same time. The short-circuit portion is disposed on the ground portion and is connected to the radiation portion. The feed-in portion is connected to the radiation portion.
US08228229B2
A space navigation receiver (NR) comprises i) a radiofrequency processing module (PM1) tasked both with converting radio navigation signals transmitted by a satellite navigation system into digital navigation signals, and with converting auxiliary radio signals representative of navigation information about said system into auxiliary digital signals, ii) a digital processing module (PM2) tasked with periodically acquiring the digital navigation signals by sub-sampling the received radio signal, then processing the acquired signal samples (resulting from this sub-sampling) in order to produce raw measurements from these samples, from auxiliary digital signals, and from location points, and iii) a location module (LM) tasked with determining location points based on raw measurements, demodulated navigation data initially contained within the digital navigation signals in a modulated form, and orbital force models.
US08228225B1
A remote switch operator that is portable and lightweight with onboard power, relays, and potentiometers for controlling two or more remote units from a single remote switch operator in a watertight, explosion proof rugged housing. A method for operating the operator with electrical equipment is included. This operator allows a user to stand at least 25 feet away from an arc flash boundary with no user training needed.
US08228219B2
Time-to-digital converter arrangements and corresponding methods as well as applications thereof are described. The time-to-digital converter in a first mode is coupled with a calibration signal generator and in a second mode is coupled with signal input.
US08228215B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying misrepresented characters in strings of text. A computer system receives text that includes characters identified as being encoded in UTF-8. The characters are represented as code point values, each code point value representing one character in the text. The computer system makes a determination that the text likely includes characters incorrectly converted from Win-1252 to UTF-8 by comparing the code point values that represent the text with test values. Based on the comparison, the computer system identifies sequences of characters in the text that was likely incorrectly converted.
US08228213B2
A system to compress an inter-system channel data stream may include a data compression application executing via a computer processor. The system may additionally include a transmit dictionary used by said data compression application to compress an inter-system channel data stream. The system may also include a data decompression application executing via a second computer processor to decompress the inter-system channel data stream. The system may further include a receive dictionary used by said data decompression application to decompress the inter-system channel data stream.
US08228212B2
A touch-sensitive device includes a membrane substrate, an inductive layer and a protection layer. The inductive layer, arranged on a front face of the membrane substrate, has a plurality of capacitance-inductive sections, and at least one transmission line extended from a side of each of the capacitance-inductive sections. The protection layer is arranged on a front face of the inductive layer. A capacitance variation generated from the inductive section is in turn to output a signal to an electronic object via the transmission lines. After the signal is processed by the electronic object, a specific function is then executed.
US08228210B2
An alert system for generating, in the vicinity of a crossing such as an intersection or a railcar station warning line, a wide-area image indicative of an actual or impending traffic safety problem, comprising at least one safety indication component for indicating a state of an actual or impending safety problem; at least one wide-area image generating device mounted in the vicinity of the crossing for generating a corresponding vertically appearing wide-area image appearing at an injury preventable distance from the crossing; fog generating apparatus mounted in the vicinity of the crossing for discharging vaporized fluid by which light of a corresponding generated wide-area image is refracted or reflected, so that the wide-area images will be visible during daytime light; and a controller in communication with the at least one safety indication component for synchronizing operation of the at least one wide-area image generating device and the fog generating apparatus.
US08228203B2
A method of analyzing participant activity includes providing an identification unit to a participant, receiving signals from the identification unit, determining location of the participant based on the received signals, storing the location information and the associated timestamp and analyzing the stored information.
US08228199B2
Systems, tags and methods for disabling transponders used in electronic toll collection or other RFID systems, wherein the transponders include an antenna and RFID circuitry. The transponders can be selectively disabled by positioning (e.g., pivotably moving) a disabling member having a metallic portion to an operative position over the antenna of the RFID system, whereupon the metallic portion is coupled to the antenna in such a manner as to disable the RFID circuitry so long as the disabling member is at the operative position. The RFID circuitry is arranged to be automatically enabled upon removal of the disabling member from the operative position (e.g., pivoting the disabling member back to an inoperative position).
US08228193B1
An application specific integrated circuit chip includes capacitors and antennas. The antennas receive energy from an outside source, and charge capacitors on the chip in order to provide power to the chip itself. The chip in turn communicates by antenna to outside receivers for the purposes of identification of the chip and hence a bag or article to which it is attached. The chip is attached to its article by means of glue which is in turn applied by an applicator which shoots the chip and the glue against the article.
US08228189B2
A user-portable deployable RFID device including a battery, a battery charging device connected to the battery, and an RFID reader connected to the battery configured to receive a locating signal from an RFID tag, a modem is connected to the RFID reader, the modem is configured to receive tag position data from the RFID reader and to transmit the tag position data, an antenna is connected to one or more of the RFID reader and the modem. A method of tracking a position of an entity within an entity area and a system for tracking the position of an entity within an area are also provided.
US08228187B2
An exemplary embodiment of a wireless monitoring device includes a sensitive patch with a sensor for sensing a body part and generating a signal. A wireless transmitter includes a first connection portion coupling to the sensitive patch for transmitting the signal. A mounting belt device is affixed to the wireless transmitter and securable in a closed loop configuration for coupling the wireless transmitter to an object. A wireless receiver is adapted for receiving the signal. The wireless receiver includes a display surface for displaying a value corresponding the signal and a supporting surface with a second connection portion. The wireless receiver and the wireless transmitter are detachably combined by coupling the first connection portion and the second connection portion, thereby keeping the wireless receiver and the wireless transmitter in an upright position.
US08228186B2
The invention relates to a method to determine the relative position of a container corner lock and/or a group of container corner locks in relation to other container corner locks. The method comprises the steps of: requesting information regarding identification from those locks (1) that are within a certain area; transferring said information to each lock (1) within said area; storing, in each lock (1) within said area, said requested information from other locks within the area; determining, based on said stored information, the relative position of the lock and/or of the group of locks. The invention also relates to a system and a container corner lock.
US08228175B1
RFID tags, ICs for RFID tags, and methods are provided. In some embodiments, an RFID tag includes a memory with multiple sections, and a processing block. The processing block may map one of these sections, or another of these sections, for purposes of responding to a first command from an RFID reader. As such, an RFID tag can operate according to the data stored in the section mapped at the time. In some embodiments, a tag can even transition from mapping one of the sections to mapping another of the sections. This can amount to the tag exhibiting alternative behaviors, and permits hiding data on the tag.
US08228174B2
A radio IC tag reader comprises: a first variable frequency oscillation section for generating a signal having a frequency meeting a unit radio channel used for transmission/reception to/from a radio IC tag; transmission and reception sections for executing transmission/reception to/from the radio IC tag by using the signal; a second variable frequency oscillation section for changeably generating a signal of a frequency meeting a unit radio channel for measuring the strength of a received electric wave; a carrier sense executing section for measuring strength of a received electric wave in each of the unit radio channels by using the signal; and a main control section for controlling the first variable frequency oscillation section so as to generate a carrier signal having a frequency meeting the next unit radio channel used by the transmission and reception sections based on a result of measurement by the carrier sense executing section, upon passage of a continuous transmittable time after start of transmission/reception.
US08228172B2
An apparatus system, and techniques for detecting temperature change are disclosed. The system includes a temperature sensitive antenna that can be included in an RFID tag device. The antenna is associated with a temperature sensitive material that, upon being exposed to a particular temperature level over a time interval, causes at least one of a change in the resonance frequency of the antenna and change in antenna signal strength (e.g., antenna gain). An RFID reader is also provided that sends commands to the tag device and determines the existence of a temperature change based on a comparison of signal strengths received on different frequencies from the antenna.
US08228169B2
An information communication system is capable of allowing a service provider at a facility to appropriately attend a user visiting the facility in accordance with an intention of the user. The information communication system includes a user apparatus carried by the user and a facility apparatus installed at a facility the user may visit. The user apparatus enters the user intention concerning the facility service provider and transmits intention information indicating the entered user intention to the facility apparatus capable of short range wireless communication. The user apparatus transmits appearance information indicating the user's captured face picture to the facility apparatus. When receiving the intention information from the user apparatus, the facility apparatus allows a display section to display the user intention indicated by the intention information along with the user's captured face picture indicated by the appearance information received from the user apparatus.
US08228167B2
An object of the invention is to provide an access control apparatus for lessening the occasions of invading a place where no entry is permitted without setting any separate access condition for a temporary user of a visitor, etc., in a room entering and leaving management apparatus using personal identification information of an IC card, etc.The access control apparatus of the invention sets the master-slave relationship between identification information possessed by a guide and identification information possessed by a visitor and automatically sets the access permission of the visitor in response to the verification result of the guide.
US08228166B2
A vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, has a flap, which automatically opens as a result of an opening command. The opening command takes place without a manual operation of an unlocking/locking mechanism. A proximity sensor and a control device coupled therewith are present, the control device being constructed such that it recognizes the presence of a valid access authorization device within a surrounding area and, if a valid access authorization device is recognized, as a function of the presence of an unlocking signal of the proximity sensor, activates the unlocking/locking mechanism for releasing the automatically opening flap.
US08228163B2
The invention regards a system and method for using a handheld programming device to configure a lighting control system wirelessly. In one embodiment, at least one device configured with a processing section is installed in the lighting control system. A communications receiver that is operable to receive a signal from the handheld programming device is also installed in the lighting control system, wherein the signal includes an instruction for configuring the lighting control system. Further, the signal is wirelessly sent from the handheld programming device to the communications receiver, and the instruction is transmitted from the communications receiver to a device in the system. The instruction functions to configure the lighting control system.
US08228159B1
A resistor, fabricating method, and thermal sensor material for resistors that incorporate high Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) values and low resistivity for better sensitivity in infrared imaging applications are disclosed. Amorphous oxide thin films, preferably oxides of vanadium (VOx), were deposited on thermally grown silicon dioxide by direct current (DC) magnetron co-sputtering of noble metals (gold and platinum) in a controlled argon/oxygen atmosphere. The ideal conditions for preparing an amorphous vanadium oxide/noble metal thin film are identified. TCR and resistivity results showed that the additions of gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) into VOx reduced the resistivity. However, only gold (Au) was found to improve TCR value. Reducing the amount of oxygen in the thin film, further improved the ratio between TCR and resistivity. Infrared detection and imaging devices can be greatly improved with a “drop-in” amorphous vanadium oxide/noble metal thin film of the present invention.
US08228156B2
An insulation transformer and a key input circuit having the same are disclosed. The insulation transformer includes: a core having a certain gap; and primary and secondary coils wound on the core. According to the insulation transformer, the operation deficiency of the insulation transformer can be reduced and thus the signal transmission efficiency can be improved. Also, the key input circuit including: an insulation transformer includes a core having a certain gap, and primary and secondary coils wound on the core; a microcomputer connected with the primary coil; and a key input unit connected with the secondary coil and including multiple resistors and switches. According to the key input circuit having the insulation transformer, the reliability of the operation of the key input circuit can be improved and user inconvenience that may be caused by an operation error can be prevented.
US08228139B2
The invention relates to a transmission line (1) comprising: a groove (2) defined by two parallel conducting walls (3) and a conducting floor (4) all electrically connected to each other, together forming a peripheral conductor of the transmission line, and a center conductor (5), at least partly submersed in the groove (2), the center conductor (5) being isolated from the conducting walls (3) and the conducting floor (4) of the groove (2). The transmission line is distinguished in that the center conductor (5) comprises at least one conductor formed on a side of a printed circuit board (6). The invention also relates to a method for the production of a transmission line.
US08228132B2
A voltage-controlled oscillator robust against power supply includes: a regulating unit configured to maintain a virtual power supply of a VCO core circuit in a stable condition with regard to a reference voltage; and a power supply removal unit including second transistors configured to correspond to respective first transistors of the regulating unit, the power supply removal unit being configured to remove power noise of the virtual power supply by using negative feedback through a closed-circuit loop formed by each of the first and second transistors.
US08228130B1
An oscillator includes oscillator circuitry (8) including a transconductance stage (2) and a resonator (3). A comparator (10) produces first (CLK) and second (/CLK) clock signals which indicate the timing of positive and negative phases of a differential output signal (VIN+-VIN−) produced by the transconductance circuit in response to the resonator. A synchronous rectifier (14) converts the differential output signal to a current (IRECT) in response to the first and second clock signals. A switched capacitor notch filter (15) filters the current in response to the first and second clock signals. A control current (ICONTROL) which controls the transconductance of the transconductance circuit is generated in response to the notch filter. The resonator may be a MEMS resonator.
US08228128B2
For decreasing errors within an analog phase-locked loop, an all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) with digital components and digital operations is used. The ADPLL may also be used for direct frequency modulation (DFM). By defining a proportional path gain of an ADPLL by a bandwidth and a reference frequency of the ADPLL, by a TDC gain, a DCO gain, a dividing ratio of a frequency divider, a gain of an amplifier or a combination thereof, the gain of the amplifier may be adjusted so that an optimal loop bandwidth of the ADPLL may be well calibrated. For achieving the aim of entirely digital of the ADPLL, the gains of the TDC and the DCO may be further adjusted in a digital manner.
US08228127B2
Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal.
US08228123B2
The invention relates to an integrated Doherty amplifier with an input network connecting the input to the main stage and to the peak stage, and with an output network connecting the main stage and the peak stage to the output. The output network has a shunt capacitor to signal-ground in parallel to a parasitic capacitance of the main stage, and has a shunt inductor between the main stage and signal ground. The shunt configuration enables to use the MMIC Doherty amplifier in a wide frequency range. At least some of the inductors of the input network and/or output network are implemented using bond wires. Their orientations and locations provide minimal mutual electromagnetic coupling between the wires and the return RF current paths.
US08228109B2
A transmission gate circuit includes a first transmission gate, having a first switching device, coupled in series with a second transmission gate, having a second switching device, and control circuitry which places the first transmission gate and the second transmission gate into a conductive state to provide a conductive path through the first transmission gate and the second transmission gate. When the voltage of the first terminal is above a first voltage level and outside a safe operating voltage area of at least one of the first and second switching device, the first switching device remains within its safe operating voltage area and the second switching device remains within its safe operating voltage area.
US08228104B2
A duty cycle correcting circuit includes a duty ratio control unit configured to alternately change logical values of a plurality of bits of a pull-up control signal and a plurality of bits of a pull-down control signal in response to a duty ratio detection signal, a duty ratio correcting unit configured to adjust driving abilities of a first driver and a second driver in response to the plurality of bits of the pull-up control signal and the plurality of bits of the pull-down control signal to output a correction clock signal, and a duty ratio detecting unit configured to detect a duty ratio of the correction clock to generate the duty ratio detection signal.
US08228102B1
One embodiment relates to an integrated circuit including a first strip of phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits on a first side of the integrated circuit, and a second strip of PLL circuits on a second side of the integrated circuit which is opposite from the first side. The PLL circuits in the first and second strips may be configured by programming the integrated circuit. Another embodiment relates to an integrated circuit including a plurality of phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits and a plurality of physical media attachment (PMA) triplet modules adjacent to the plurality of PLL circuits. Each PMA triplet module includes first, second and third channels. The first and third channels are arranged for use as receiving channels, and the second channel is arranged to be configurable as either a receiving channel or a clock multiplication unit. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.
US08228101B2
Methods, circuits and systems for balanced distribution of source-synchronous clock signals are described. Multiple data sets together with one or more clock signals associated with the multiple data sets may be received at a number of interface devices. The multiple data sets may be captured in a number of data buffers. The clock signals may be programmably distributed to a group of the multiple data buffers that retain the one or more data sets, using a balanced clock network. Additional methods, circuits, and systems are disclosed.
US08228100B2
A brown-out detection circuit includes a first resistive element, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a comparator. The first resistive element has a first terminal coupled to a first power supply voltage terminal, and a second terminal. The first transistor is of a first conductivity type and has a first current electrode coupled to the second terminal of the first resistive element, a control electrode, and a second current electrode. The second transistor is of a second conductivity type and has a first current electrode coupled to the second current electrode of the first transistor, a control electrode, and a second current electrode coupled to a second power supply voltage terminal. The comparator has a first input terminal coupled to the first terminal of the first resistive element, a second input terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first resistive element, and an output terminal for providing a brown-out detection signal.
US08228099B2
A system for detecting the assertion of a reset signal. A plurality of circuit elements is configurable by a reset signal to output a string of data values in a predetermined pattern. A comparator receives the string of data values and determines whether the string of data values matches the predetermined pattern. If so, the comparator generates an output signal indicative of a reset. In one embodiment, the output signal of the comparator can be used to automatically trigger a reset if the reset signal has not been asserted.
US08228097B2
The present invention provides a circuit for driving a display panel using a driving capacitor, comprising an analog-to-digital converter receiving an analog input signal to generate a digital signal, a driving capacitor receiving the digital signal to generate a driving signal for the display panel, and a switching circuit in response to a switching signal, selectively coupling the analog-to-digital converter to the driving capacitor for transmission of the digital signal and coupling the driving capacitor to the display panel for transmission of the driving signal. Thus, the circuit area needed for a source driver processing images of large bit number is reduced, which decreases the cost. Further, the power system of the display having a large dynamic range of voltage can be also simplified.
US08228095B2
According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication device that can prevent misdetection of a disconnection and achieve a high output level on a receptacle side. In the communication device, a reference voltage generating circuit outputs a reference voltage that changes according to a first control signal. A differential amplifier circuit amplifies input signals and outputs differential output signals, the voltages of which change according to a second control signal, to a receptacle. A disconnection detector circuit outputs a disconnection detecting signal when a differential amplitude voltage between the differential output signals is equal to or higher than the reference voltage. The reference voltage generating circuit outputs the reference voltage that is larger than the differential amplitude voltage when the receptacle is terminated and that is smaller than the differential amplitude voltage when the receptacle is opened.
US08228090B2
A system for testing and a method for making a semiconductor device is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a conductor overlying a dielectric layer. The conductor is coupled to a first test pad via a first conducting line and to a second test pad via a second conducting line.
US08228085B2
A cartridge, including a cartridge frame, formations on the cartridge frame for mounting the cartridge frame in a fixed position to an apparatus frame, a contactor support structure, a contactor interface on the contactor support structure, a plurality of terminals, held by the contactor support structure, for contacting contacts on a device, and a plurality of conductors, held by the contactor support structure, connecting the interface to the terminals.
US08228084B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that includes producing an integrated circuit device configured to include a system on a chip (SOC) and accessing test code within the SOC during the producing. The method further includes self-testing the integrated circuit device with the test code.
US08228071B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for monitoring an electrical wire. An appropriate safety device is utilized to monitor the electrical wire. The safety device includes a line side input configured to connect a line side power source and receive an electrical power signal from the line side power source. Additionally, the safety device includes a wire connection configured to connect to an electrical wire. The safety device further includes at least one relay or other suitable disconnection component configured to control the communication of the electrical power signal onto the electrical wire. The safety device also includes a control unit configured to test the electrical wire for at least one of miswires, wire faults, or abnormal conditions and, based at least in part on the results of the testing, to control the actuation of the at least one relay.
US08228063B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a data acquisition unit and an image data generating unit. The data acquisition unit acquires plural pieces of magnetic resonance data for generating plural species of image data of which contrasts are mutually different from a same object with mutually different data amounts by setting parameters for controlling the contrasts to mutually different values. The image data generating unit generates the plural species of the image data by image reconstruction processing and composition processing of the plural pieces of the magnetic resonance data or plural pieces of data derived from the plural pieces of the magnetic resonance data.
US08228059B2
Provided is a method of evaluating properties of ferrite which can continuously measure change in magnetic properties accompanying change in composition of the ferrite merely by preparing one specimen.A composition gradient ferrite thin film constituted of a plurality of composition gradient ferrite layers which are formed by inclining component composition in the horizontal direction is formed on a single crystal substrate having light transmitting property using a thin film forming method, and a magneto-optical effect is continuously measured along the composition gradient direction of the ferrite thin film whereby change in magnetic properties accompanying a change in composition of the ferrite is continuously measured also provided is a method of evaluating properties of ferrite which can continuously measure change in magnetic properties accompanying change in composition of the ferrite merely by preparing one specimen.
US08228057B2
Provided is a swivel portable terminal. The swivel portable terminal is configured to allow first and second magnet detecting units installed at one body of a main body and a swivel body at a predetermined interval therebetween to detect first and second magnets installed at the other body and corresponding to the first and second magnet detecting units. A rotation direction in which the swivel body rotates is determined according to a time difference of a change in a magnet detecting state of the first and second magnet detecting units when the swivel body rotates.
US08228052B2
A system and method are provided for a PTAT cell with no resistors which can operate at low power, has less sensitivity to process variation, occupies less silicon area, and has low noise. Further, a system and method are provided to scale up the reference voltage and current through a cascade of unit cells. Still further, a system and method are provided for PTAT component to be fine-tuned, advantageously providing less process variability and less temperature sensitivity.
US08228036B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system of determining over-voltage and under-voltage conditions for cells in a battery pack. The method includes combining the cells in a battery pack into groups, detecting each cell group's voltage, and calculating ratios of cell group voltages to determine over-voltage and under-voltage conditions.
